Judge Warns Apple: 'I Will Probably Rule Against You'

Apple has faces a major setback in its lawsuit against Amazon.com's App store; a federal court judge said this week that she will "probably rule against the company." Apple had argued that Amazon.com's use of the term "app Store" infringed on its trademark and would cause "brand confusion." A federal court judge sees things differently - or at the very least doesn’t believe Apple has a case.

US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton commented that she was "probably" going to deny Apple's motion for a preliminary injunction against Amazon in order to stop it from using the term "app store."

Judge Hamilton told Apple that she had not seen any "real evidence of actual confusion." Because of this, she said it was unlikely that the company would prevail.

"I’m troubled by the showing that you’ve made so far, but that’s where you’re likely not to prevail at this early juncture," Hamilton said during the hearing.

Apple laid its claim to the term "app store" in 2008 with the U.S. Patent Office. The claim was initially rejected, but finally received approval in 2010. Microsoft filed an objection with the agency, saying that the term was too generic. Later it asked the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to deny Apple's trademark application.

While all this was taking place, Apple decided to sue Amazon for opening an "app store."

The company continues to send cease and desist letters to anyone who uses the term, but this lawsuit may throw cold water on Apple's litigious efforts.

Source: Ars Technica