Apple Inc. v. Amazon.Com, Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT with jury demand (summons issued) against Amazon.Com, Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350, receipt number 34611057676.) filed by Apple Inc.. (vlk, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/18/2011) (Additional attachment(s) added on 3/23/2011: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (vlk, COURT STAFF).

Apple Inc. v. Amazon.Com, Inc.

Doc. 1

DAVID R. EBERHART (S.B. #195474) deberhart@,omm.com DAVID J.SEPANIK (S.B. #22 1527) dsepanik@,omm.com O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP Two Embarcadero Center, 28th Floor San Francisco, CA 94 111 4 15) 984-8700 41 5) 984-8701

Attornevs for Plaintiff
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

APPLE INC., a California corporation, Plaintiff,

1 &k&1 I COMPLAINT FOR
(1) Trademark Infringement; False Designation of Origin and False Description (Lanham Act 5 43(a), 15 U.S.C. 5 1125(a)) (2) Dilution (Lanham Act 5 43(c), 15 U.S.C. 5 1125(c)) (3) Trademark Infringement (Common Law) (4) Dilution (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5 14330 and Common Law) (5) Unfair Competition (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5 17200) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

AMAZON.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation, Defendant.

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Dockets.Justia.com

Plaintiff Apple Inc. ("Apple") brings this action to enjoin Amazon.com, Inc.'s ("Amazon") unauthorized use of Apple's APP STORE TM trademark. Apple seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and damages under the laws of the United States and the State of California and alleges on knowledge as to itself and its own acts, and on information and belief as to all other matters, as follows: NATURE OF ACTION 1. Apple is a market leading computer hardware, software, and mobile

computing technology and services company. Its APP STORE mobile software download service has transformed the way that mobile device users customize and expand the functionality of their devices. Apple, long renowned for its innovation and product design, introduced the APP STORE service and coined the APP STORE mark just over two and 1/2 years ago. In that short period of time, the service has experienced phenomenal growth and success, and the service is now used by over 160 million consumers worldwide who have downloaded more than 10 billion software programs.

2.

Recently, Amazon has begun improperly using Apple's APP STORE

mark in connection with Amazon's mobile software developer program. Amazon has also taken actions which, on information and belief, evidence Amazon's intent to improperly use Apple's mark in connection with Amazon's mobile software download service. Amazon's present and intended uses are unauthorized and unlawful. PARTIES
3.

Plaintiff Apple is a corporation organized and existing under the laws

of the State of California and has its principal place of business in Cupertino, California. 4. On information and belief, defendant Amazon is a corporation

organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business in Seattle, Washington. JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT Jurisdiction
5.

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COMPLAINT

The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 5

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1331 and 1338, 15 U.S.C.

55 1116 and 1125, and 28 U.S.C. 5
Venue

1367.

'6.

Venue lies within this district because a substantial part of the events

giving rise to these claims occurred in this district and Amazon resides in this judicial district for purposes of 28 U.S.C.

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1391(b) and (c).

Intradistrict Assignment 7. This action arises in Santa Clara County because a substantial part of

the events giving rise to the claim occurred in Santa Clara County. This is an intellectual property action subject to district-wide assignment pursuant to Civil Local Rule 3-2(c). FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS Apple Coins, Uses In Commerce, And Protects APP STORE 8. On July 11,2008, Apple launched its APP STORE service. This

service allows users of Apple's iPhone, iPod and, most recently, iPad mobile devices, and users of computers running Apple's iTunes software, to browse for and license a wide range of third party software programs, including games, business, educational, finance, news, sports, productivity, social networking, health, reference, travel, and utility software.

9.

Prior to the introduction of the APP STORE service, operators of

mobile communications networks offered a variety of downloadable mobile software such as ringtones, wallpapers, and games. The operators branded their download services with a variety of terms that bore no similarity to APP STORE. For example, Verizon called its mobile software download service the "Get It Now virtual store" and later changed the name of that service to the "Verizon Media Store." 10. When it launched, the APP STORE service represented a

revolutionary kind of online software service and was an instant commercial and critical success. As a columnist for The New York Times remarked soon after the launch of the service, "[nlothing like the App Store has ever been attempted before." Apple coined the term APP STORE as a means of branding its new service. The term APP STORE was not
COMPLAINT

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in general use in connection with the distribution of software programs prior to Apple's adoption of the term as a trademark. 11. The APP STORE service serves as the distribution center for a

variety of software programs developed by third parties or by Apple. For example, if a user of an Apple mobile device wishes to play the popular "Angry Birds" video game, she would touch the "App Store" icon on her mobile device, search for the "Angry Birds" program and obtain a copy of that program on her device by licensing the software through the APP STORE service. 12. In order to distribute software programs through the APP STORE

service, third party software developers are required to sign a distribution agreement in which the developer appoints Apple as its worldwide agent for delivery of the software programs. All of the software programs that are available through the APP STORE service are licensed to consumers, not sold. 13. To date, there have been more than 10 billion downloads of programs

through the service by more than 160 million consumers worldwide. An average of over s million downloads take place every hour worldwide. There are currently more than 350,000 software programs available for download on the APP STORE service. 14. Apple has extensively advertised, marketed and promoted the APP

STORE service and the APP STORE mark, spending millions of dollars on print, television, and internet advertising. News outlets have also commented extensively and repeatedly on the operations of the APP STORE service in the months and years following its launch. The enormous public attention given the APP STORE service, and the success of the service, have cemented the public's identification of APP STORE as a trademark for Apple's service. Moreover, Apple has obtained registrations of the APP STORE mark covering more than fifty foreign jurisdictions, including the European Union, Japan, and China. 15. Apple has applied to register the APP STORE mark in the United
COMPLAINT

States. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved Apple's application to register

APP STORE as a trademark. Microsoft has opposed that application's registration. The matter is currently subject to opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial And Appeal Board. 16. From Apple's launch of the APP STORE service in 2008, Apple has

prominently featured -theAPP STORE mark in print advertising in the United States, California, and elsewhere. The mark has been featured in such print advertising sponsored both by Apple as well as AT&T (which offers wireless connectivity for certain Apple mobile devices), These ads have appeared in such magazines and newspapers as Fortune, The New Yorker, The Economist, Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, the Washington Post, as well as numerous other regional and local newspapers. 17. As part of its marketing for the APP STORE service, Apple has

implemented a unique television advertising campaign. Most recently, Apple has aired nationwide television commercials that state "If you don't have an iPhone - you don't have the App Store." These commercials highlight the different computer software programs available through the APP STORE service and the variety of hnctions each computer software program serves. These commercials verbally refer to the APP STORE mark and also depict the APP STORE mark as featured on Apple's devices. Apple has aired these and other commercials regarding its APP STORE services on all the major television broadcast stations in the United States, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The CW, BET, Comedy Central, CNN, ESPN, MTV, TBS, TNT, and VH1. As a result, millions of consumers in the United States and California have been exposed to Apple's television campaigns. 18. Not surprisingly given the success of Apple's APP STORE service,

the service and Apple's APP STORE mark have been the subject of an overwhelming amount of high-profile positive unsolicited media coverage in the United States and California. These articles recognize the APP STORE mark as referring exclusively to Apple's service. 19. The phenomenal popularity of Apple's mobile software download
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service has prompted a number of competitors to offer their own services. In fact, Microsoft, Google, Nokia, Research in Motion (Blackberry), Sprint, Verizon and other major companies now offer software download services for mobile operating systems that compete with Apple's mobile operating system. These competitors have found ways of branding and describing their own mobile software download services without using the term APP STORE. For example, Microsoft uses the term MARKETPLACE to refer to its service and uses the descriptor "virtual store for apps." 20. In limited instances, third parties have made improper use of the term

APP STORE. In response, Apple has contacted those parties and requested that they

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cease and desist from further use of the mark. In almost every instance, the entities contacted by Apple agreed to cease use of Apple's APP STORE mark. Amazon Unlawfully Uses APP STORE And Threatens Expanded Unlawful Use 2 1. In approximately January of 20 11, Amazon began soliciting software

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, developers to participate in a future mobile software download service offered by
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Amazon. On information and belief, Amazon began unlawfully using the APP STORE mark in or about that same month. 22. Amazon has unlawfully used the APP STORE mark to solicit

software developers throughout the United States, including in the Northern District of
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California. Amazon's unlawful use includes, but on information and belief is not limited

I to, such use at web pages accessed through the developer.amazon.com URL.
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23.

At no time has Amazon received a license or authorization from

Apple to use the APP STORE mark. 24. On or about January 19, February 9, and March 14,2011, Apple

communicated with Amazon and demanded that Amazon cease its use of the APP STORE mark. Amazon has not provided a substantive response to any of Apple's communications.

COMPLAINT

25.

Amazon is currently unlawfully using the APP STORE mark in

connection with what Amazon terms the "Amazon Appstore Developer Portal" and the "Amazon Appstore Developer Program." The following is a screenshot of Amazon's website showing that use on March 17'20 11:

Wefcorn~~ :he Arr-azon Appstcru Developer "rogCi:rn to

Sell
1. C M a a Devaloper Account

2. Submit your moblb application for m w k

5. Sell your approved apps at

amazonam
Powerful Marketing Featuns: Market your apps lo bns of millions of customers using Amazon's proven marketing and rnerchandislng capabilitks Simple Account Management: Subrnll your apps using the portal's can-sarvlce worktaw, track approval slalus in real-time, and gonorato custom saks raporb Join tha devalopor p m g n m now. and we'll walve tha SUB pmgnm fee foryourflnt yean

Stay U to dale. Check out the Amazon Appstore Developer &g P

or follow us on

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26. mark-using

Recently, Amazon expanded its infringing use of the APP STORE

the mark in connection with advertisements for a forthcoming software

product called "Angry Birds Rio" to be offered through "the Amazon Appstore." A screenshot showing that use on Amazon's website on March 17,20 11 is set forth below:
Angw B i d s Ria Is Coming

man

The Android app, Angry Birds Rio, is launching exclusively on the Amazon Appstore. Learn more

COMPLAINT

27. appstore"-is 17,2011:

A similar infringing use by Amazon-referencing

"amazon

shown in the following screenshot taken from Amazon's website on March

hunching exclusively on arna?on :.,$y;$c~f z S ,
*me-

Bc t h e fir*? t g get x

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28.

As referenced in Paragraph 25 above, Amazon's website indicates

that "Angry Birds Rio Is Coming Soon," which indicates that Amazon intends to expand its unlawful use of the APP STORE mark by using that mark "soon" in connection with the launch of Amazon's mobile software download service. Apple is informed and believes that Amazon intends to use the APP STORE mark in the Northern District of California in connection with Amazon's mobile software download service. 29. Amazon's ongoing unlawful use of the APP STORE mark has

irreparably harmed Apple, and Amazon's threatened expansion of that unlawful use will increase the irreparable harm to Apple.

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (Trademark Infringement; False Designation Of Origin/Description - Lanham Act 5 43(a), 15 U.S.C. 5 1125(a))
30. Apple repeats and realleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1

through 29 above, and incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein. 3 1. Apple has used its APP STORE trademark since 2008 to identify its

services in California, in the United States, and worldwide. The general consuming public of the United States widely recognizes the APP STORE mark as designating Apple as the source of services andor goods. 32. Amazon's use of Apple's APP STORE mark constitutes a false

designation of origin and/or a false or misleading description or representation of fact that is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive as to (a) the affiliation, connection, or association of Amazon with Apple andor (b) the origin, sponsorship, or approval of Amazon's goods, services, or commercial activities by Apple. For example, consumers of mobile software downloads are likely to be confused as to whether Amazon's mobile software download service is sponsored or approved by Apple or is merely a conduit for Apple's APP STORE service. 33. Amazon's wrongful activities have caused Apple irreparable injury.

Apple is informed and believes that unless said conduct is enjoined by this Court, Amazor will continue and expand those activities to the continued and irreparable injury of Apple. This injury includes a reduction in the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark and injury to Apple's reputation that cannot be remedied through damages, and Apple has no adequate remedy at law. Apple is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctions pursuant to 15 U.S.C.

8 1116 restraining and enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants,

employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, fiom using in commerce the APP STORE mark or any colorable imitation thereof. 34. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C.

8 1117, Apple is also entitled to recover (i)

Amazon's profits, (ii) Apple's ascertainable damages, and (iii) Apple's costs of suit. Amazon's willful use of Apple's APP STORE mark without excuse or justification renders this an exceptional case and entitles Apple to its reasonable attorney fees.

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION (Dilution - Lanham Act 5 43(c), 15 U.S.C. 5 1125(c)) 35. Apple repeats and realleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1

through 34 above, and incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein. 36. The APP STORE mark is famous and distinctive, and that mark

became famous prior to Amazon's commencement of use of the mark. 37. Amazon's existing and intended use of the APP STORE mark for its

developer program and/or its mobile software download service online marketplace are likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment of the APP STORE mark. For example, Amazon's use of the APP STORE mark is likely to reduce the distinctiveness of that mark by reducing the general consuming public's association of the mark with Apple's services. 38. Amazon's wrongful activities have caused Apple irreparable i~jury.

Apple is informed and believes that unless said conduct is enjoined by this Court, Amazon will continue and expand those activities to the continued and irreparable injury of Apple. This injury includes a reduction in the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark that cannot be remedied through damages, and Apple has no adequate remedy at law. Apple is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctions pursuant to 15 U.S.C.

8 1116 restraining

and enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants, employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, from using in commerce the APP STORE trademark or any colorable imitation thereof. 39. Amazon first used the APP STORE mark after October 6,2006 and

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Amazon willfully intended to trade on the recognition of the APP STORE mark and/or intended to harm the reputation of the APP STORE mark. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. $8 1117
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and 1125(c)(5) Apple is also entitled to recover (i) Amazon's profits, (ii) Apple's ascertainable damages, and (iii) Apple's costs of suit. Amazon's willful use of Apple's APP STORE mark without excuse or justification renders this an exceptional case and entitles Apple to its reasonable attorney fees.

THIRD CAUSE O F ACTION (Trademark Infringement - Common Law) 40. Apple repeats and realleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1

.through 39 above, and incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein. 4 1. The general consuming public of California widely recognizes -the

APP STORE mark as designating Apple as the source of services andlor goods. Apple has common law trademark rights in the APP STORE mark under California law. 42. Amazon's wrongful activities in the State of California have caused

Apple irreparable injury. Apple is informed and believes that unless said conduct is enjoined by this Court, Amazon will continue and expand those activities to the continued and irreparable injury of Apple. This injury includes a reduction in the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark and injury to Apple's reputation that cannot be remedied through damages, and Apple has no adequate remedy at law. Apple is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining and enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants, employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, from using in commerce the APP STORE mark or any colorable imitation thereof. 43. Apple is also entitled to recover (i) Amazon's profits, (ii) Apple's

ascertainable damages, and (iii) Apple's costs of suit. Amazon's willful use of Apple's APP STORE mark without excuse or justification entitles Apple to its reasonable attorney fees.

COMPLAINT

FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Dilution - Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5 14330 and Common Law) 44. Apple repeats and realleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1

through 43 above, and incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein. 45. Amazon's actual and intended use of the APP STORE mark in

California (i) has diluted, and on information and belief will continue to dilute, the distinctive quality of the APP STORE mark and/or (ii) has tarnished, and on information and belief will continue to tarnish, the image of Apple's APP STORE mark, in violation of Section 14330 of the California Business and Professions Code. 46. Amazon's wrongful activities in the State of California have caused

Apple irreparable injury. Apple is informed and believes that unless said conduct is enjoined by this Court, Amazon will continue and expand those activities to the continued and irreparable injury of Apple. This injury includes a reduction in the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark and iqjury to Apple's reputation that cannot be remedied through damages, and Apple has no adequate remedy at law. Apple is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining and enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants, employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, from using in commerce the APP STORE trademark or any colorable imitation thereof.

FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Unfair Competition - Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5 17200 and Common Law) 47. Apple repeats and realleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1

through 46 above, and incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein. 48. Amazon's acts, as alleged above, constitute unlawful and/or unfair

business practices in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law ("UCL"), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code $5 17200 et seq. 49. Amazon acts are unlawful and/or unfair under the UCL because
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Amazon's actual and intended use of the APP STORE mark in California is likely to confuse consumers as to the source, origin, or affiliation of Amazon's services, to dilute the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark, andlor to tarnish the image of Apple's APP STORE mark.
50.

Amazon's acts of unfair competition in .the State of California have

caused Apple irreparable injury. Apple is informed and believes that unless said conduct is enjoined by this Court, Amazon will continue and expand .those activities to the continued and irreparable injury of Apple. This injury includes a reduction in the distinctiveness of Apple's APP STORE mark and injury to Apple's reputation that cannot be remedied through damages, and Apple has no adequate remedy at law. Apple is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining and enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants, employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, fiom using in commerce the APP STORE trademark or any colorable imitation thereof.
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As a direct and proximate result of Amazon's statutory unfair

competition, Amazon has been unjustly enriched in an amount to be determined at trial.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Apple hereby requests that this Court: A. Enter preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining and

enjoining Amazon and its agents, servants, employees, and all persons acting thereunder, in concert with, or on their behalf, from using in commerce the APP STORE mark or any colorable imitation or confusingly similar variation thereof; B. Enter preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring Amazon and

its agents, servants, and employees, and all persons acting thereunder in concert with, or on their behalf, to immediately cease fiom causing any and all dilution andlor tarnishment of Apple's APP STORE mark;
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C. D.

Award Apple its ascertainable damages, costs, and attorneys' fees; Award Apple Amazon's profits attributable to Amazon's

unauthorized use of Apple's APP STORE mark. E. Impose a constructive trust in favor of Apple on all profits obtained

fiom Amazon's misappropriation of Apple's APP STORE trademark. F. Award Apple all amounts by which Amazon has been unjustly

enriched through its use of Apple's APP STORE mark.
G.

Award such other and hrther relief as this Court deems just and

proper.

Dated: March 18'20 11 O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP

a v i d R. Eberhart Attorneys for Plaintiff APPLE INC.

JURY DEMAND Apple respecthlly requests a jury trial on all issues triable thereby.

Dated March 18,2011 O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP

E v i d R. Eberhart Attorneys for Plaintiff APPLE INC.

COMPLAINT