Apple Claims Amazon 'AppStore' Inferior By Comparison

Apple has once again lashed out against Amazon in the midst of their ongoing litigation battle, this time calling Amazon's idea for an appstore "inferior" by comparison to the established Apple offering.

Issues arose back in mid-March when Apple filed for a lawsuit against Amazon over trademark infringement concerning the term "appstore". Amazon says the label was generic and that Apple had only sought litigation to hurt their competition. In January of this year, Microsoft filed a petition for similar reasons.

Apple Looks to Monopolize "App Store" Label

Apple has since countered these claims, once again demanding that the courts impose a preliminary injunction that would stop Amazon from using the same "appstore" namesake to market their Android app download center. Android is an operating system developed by Google and is used in mobile devices search as smart phones.

Apple is being uncharacteristically diplomatic when addressing their competitors, hoping to make it clear that the "inferiority" claims are directed not at the Android operating system, but at Amazon.

As Apple contended, the company "has not asserted that the Android operating system is inferior. Rather, Apple has asserted that Amazon's service is inferior and will tarnish Apple's mark." (Source: huffingtonpost.com)

Amazon Software Bypasses Security Safeguards, says Apple

Apple is adamant in the fact that Amazon makes software available that bypasses security safeguards on Android, increasing opportunities for their customers to be exposed to viruses and malware.

While Apple does not allow software in its App Store that requires a user to "jailbreak" (or hack) an iPhone, Amazon does offer "rooted" applications for Android smartphones which give full administration rights to the android operating system.

Apple also mentioned that about 30 malicious apps have appeared in Google's Android market recently, while also warning that even non-rooted Android-based devices are subject to security breaches.

Google was said to have yanked at least 34 malicious apps from the Android Market at last reporting time, while more than 50 were pulled back in March. The apps were actually legitimate programs that had been redesigned to include attack codes and were later re-released back into the market. (Source: computerworld.com)

Microsoft, Others Speak Out in Support of Amazon

While it would appear as if Apple has the upper hand in this ongoing litigation battle, Amazon may have the support of a major Apple rival: Microsoft. The Washington software giant has also argued that the term "appstore" is generic enough that competitors should be able to use it.

Since then, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and HTC have collaborated in an attempt to nullify Apple's trademark in Europe. And if this coalition finds success in their domestic and international efforts, the "App Store" distinction that Apple has worked so arduously to monopolize might very well be reduced to a commonplace label.