Apple Inc. v. Amazon.Com, Inc.

Filing 36

RESPONSE (re 18 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ) filed byAmazon Digital Services, Inc., Amazon.Com, Inc.. (Glick, Martin) (Filed on 6/1/2011)

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MARTIN R. GLICK (No. 40187)
email: [e-mail]
CLARA J. SHIN (No. 214809)
email: [e-mail]
SARAH J. GIVAN (No. 238301)
email: [e-mail]
HOWARD RICE NEMEROVSKI CANADY
FALK & RABKIN
A Professional Corporation
Three Embarcadero Center, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111-4024
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile:
415/677-6262
Attorneys for Defendants and Counter-Claimants
AMAZON.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation, and
AMAZON DIGITAL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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APPLE INC., a California corporation,

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Plaintiff and CounterDefendant,

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v.
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AMAZON.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation,
and AMAZON DIGITAL SERVICES, INC., a
Delaware corporation,

No. 11-cv-01327 PJH
Action Filed: March 18, 2011
AMAZON.COM, INC. AND AMAZON
DIGITAL SERVICES, INC.’S OPPOSITION
TO APPLE INC.’S MOTION FOR
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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Defendants and CounterClaimants.

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AMAZON’S OPPOSITION TO MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page

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INTRODUCTION

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STATEMENT OF FACTS

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A.

Evidence Of The Genericness Of “App Store”.

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1.

Dictionary Definitions Of “App”, “Store”, And “App Store”.

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2.

Apple’s Generic Use Of “App” And “App Store”.

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3.

Generic Use Of “App Store” By The Media, Industry Press,
And Competitors.

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Generic Use Of “App Store” By Consumers.

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4.
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B.

Amazon Appstore For Android.

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ARGUMENT

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I.
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II.

A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IS AN EXTRAORDINARY
REMEDY.

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APPLE HAS FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS LIKELY TO
SUCCEED ON THE MERITS OF ITS CLAIMS AT TRIAL.

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A.

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The Unregistered Term “App Store” Is Generic.

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1.
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The Ninth Circuit Test For Genericness Compels A Finding
That The Term “App Store” Is Generic For A Store Featuring
“Apps”.

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a.

Dictionary Definitions Demonstrate That “App Store”
Is Generic.

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Apple Uses “App Store” Generically To Refer To Its
Own And Its Competitors’ App Stores.

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Usage In The Media, By Competitors, and Consumers
Confirm That “App Store” Is Generic.

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Alleged Consumer Awareness Of Apple’s App Store
Cannot Negate Genericness.

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Even If “App Store” Is Not Generic, Apple Cannot Demonstrate
Any Likelihood Of Confusion, Let Alone The Clear Sgowing
Requested For Preliminary Relief.

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b.

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c.
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d.

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B.
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1.
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2.

Smartphone Consumers Are Aware That There Is No
Overlap In Goods.

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“App Store” Is Weak.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page

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3.

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There Is No Evidence That Amazon Intended To Mislead
Consumers.

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The Marks As Encountered In The Marketplace Are Not
Similar.

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4.
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6

5.

There Is No Evidence Of Actual Confusion.

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6.

The Parties’ Use Of A Common Marketing Channel Is
Irrelevant.

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There Is No Likelihood Of Expansion.

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7.
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C.

Apple Cannot Demonstrate Any Likelihood Of Dilution, Let Alone
The Clear Showing Required For Preliminary Relief.

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1.

“App Store” Is Not A Famous Mark.

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2.

There Is No Likelihood Of Dilution By Blurring.

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3.

There Is No Likelihood Of Dilution By Tarnishment.

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4.

Amazon’s Use Of “App Store” In “Amazon Appstore For
Android” Is A Fair Use.

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APPLE HAS FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT WOULD BE
IRREPARABLY HARMED WITHOUT A PRELIMINARY
INJUNCTION.

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A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WILL IRREPARABLY HARM
AMAZON.

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PUBLIC INTEREST WEIGHS AGAINST A PRELIMINARY
INJUNCTION.

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III.
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IV.
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V.

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CONCLUSION

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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page(s)

2
3
Cases
4
A. T. Cross Co. v. Jonathan Bradley Pens, Inc., 470 F.2d 689 (2d Cir. 1972)

18

5
Advertise.com, Inc. v. AOL Adver., Inc., 616 F.3d 974 (9th Cir. 2010)

8, 10, 13, 24

6
Ale House Mgmt., Inc. v. Raleigh Ale House, Inc., 205 F.3d 137 (4th Cir. 2000)

12

7
America Online, Inc. v. AT&T Corp., 243 F.3d 812 (4th Cir. 2001)

12, 13

8
AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341 (9th Cir. 1979)

15, 16, 17, 18

9
Avery Dennison Corp. v. Sumpton, 189 F.3d 868 (9th Cir. 1999)

19, 20

10
Biosafe-One, Inc. v. Hawks, 524 F. Supp. 2d 452 (S.D.N.Y 2007)

21

CG Roxane LLC v. Fiji Water Co. LLC, 569 F. Supp. 2d 1019 (N.D. Cal. 2008)

11

13

Classic Foods Int’l Corp. v. Kettle Foods, Inc., 468 F. Supp. 2d 1181
(C.D. Cal. 2007)

12

14

Cohn v. Petsmart, Inc., 281 F.3d 837 (9th Cir. 2002)

18

15

Dreamwerks Prod. Group, Inc. v. SKG Studio, 142 F.3d 1127, 1129 (9th Cir. 1998)

17

16

Dymo Indus., Inc. v. TapePrinter, Inc., 326 F.2d 141 (9th Cir. 1964)

14

17

Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v. New York Air Lines, Inc., 559 F. Supp. 1270
(S.D.N.Y. 1983)

13

Entrepreneur Media, Inc. v. Smith, 279 F.3d 1135 (9th Cir. 2002)

25

11
12

18
19
20

Filipino Yellow Pages, Inc. v. Asian Journal Publ’ns, Inc., 198 F.3d 1143
(9th Cir. 1999)

21

Frehling Enter., Inc. v. Int’l Select Group, Inc., 192 F.3d 1330 (11th Cir. 1999)

10

22

Genovese Drug Stores, Inc. v. TGC Stores, Inc., 939 F. Supp. 340 (D.N.J. 1996)

24

23

GoTo.com, Inc. v. Walt Disney Co., 202 F.3d 1199 (9th Cir. 2000)

16

24

Hasbro, Inc. v. Clue Computing, Inc., 66 F. Supp. 2d 117 (D. Mass. 1999), aff’d
232 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2000)

21

8, 9, 10, 13

25
Henri’s Food Prods. Co. v. Tasty Snacks, Inc., 817 F.2d 1303(7th Cir. 1987)

8

Hotmail Corp. v. Van$ Money Pie Inc., 47 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1020 (N.D. Cal. 1998)

21

In re 1800Mattress.com IP, LLC, 586 F.3d 1359 (Fed. Cir. 2009)

11

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27
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page(s)

2
3

In re Hotels.com, 573 F.3d 1300 (Fed. Cir. 2009)

12

4

In re Jonathan Drew, Inc. dba Drew Estate, Serial No. 78979742, 2009 WL
5253035 (T.T.A.B. Dec. 31, 2009)

14

In re The Computer Store, Inc., 211 U.S.P.Q. 72 (T.T.A.B. 1981)

10

7

Int’l Kennel Club of Chicago, Inc. v. Mighty Star, Inc., 846 F.2d 1079
(7th Cir. 1988)

18

8

Jada Toys, Inc. v. Mattel, Inc., 518 F.3d 628 (9th Cir. 2008)

20

9

Japan Telecom, Inc. v. Japan Telecom Am. Inc., 287 F.3d 866 (9th Cir. 2002)

5
6

10

Kellogg Co. v. Nat’l Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. 111 (1938)

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KP Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., 408 F.3d 596
(9th Cir. 2005)

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13, 14, 25
8

12
Loctite Corp. v. Nat’l Starch & Chem. Corp., 516 F. Supp. 190 (S.D.N.Y. 1981)

12

13
Maxim Integrated Prods. v. Quintana, 654 F. Supp. 2d 1024 (N.D. Cal. 2009)

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Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S. 968 (1997)

7

14
15
16

Microsoft Corp. v. Lindows.com, Inc., 64 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1397 (W.D. Wash.
2002)

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Nabisco, Inc. v. Warner-Lambert Co., 220 F.3d 43 (2d Cir. 2000)

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Network Automation, Inc. v. Advanced Sys. Concepts, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d 2036
(9th Cir. 2011)
2, 16, 17, 18, 19

14, 24
18

19
20

Network Automation, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., No. CV-08-4675 JFW (RZ),
2009 WL 5908719 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 14, 2009)

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Packman v. Chicago Tribune Co., 267 F.3d 628 (7th Cir. 2001)

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Retail Servs., Inc. v. Freebies Publ’g, 364 F.3d 535 (4th Cir. 2004)

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S. S. Kresge Co. v. United Factory Outlet, Inc. 598 F.2d 694 (1st Cir. 1979)

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Sony Computer Entm’t, Inc. v. Connectix Corp., 203 F.3d 596 (9th Cir. 2000)

25

Surgicenters of Am., Inc. v. Med. Dental Surgeries, Co., 601 F.2d 1011
(9th Cir. 1979)

11, 20, 21
18
11, 13
10
22, 23
8, 9, 13

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TCPIP Holding Co., Inc. v. Haar Communications, Inc., 244 F.3d 88 (2d Cir. 2001)

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The Money Store v. HarrisCorp Fin., Inc., 689 F.2d 666 (7th Cir. 1982)

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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

1

Page(s)

2
3

Toho Co., Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 645 F.2d 788 (9th Cir. 1981)

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Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. v. Tabari, 610 F.3d 1171 (2010)

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Toys “R” Us, Inc. v. Akkaoui, No. C-96-3381 CW, 1996 WL 772709
(N.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 1996)

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16, 17
22

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Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S. 763 (1992)

8

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Ty Inc. v. Perryman, 306 F.3d 509 (7th Cir. 2002)

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Vallavista Corp. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 657 F. Supp. 2d 1132. 1137 (N.D. Cal. 2008)

21

8
9
Visa Int’l Serv. Ass’n v. JSL Corp., 610 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 2010)

19, 21, 23

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Visa Int’l Serv. Ass’n v. JSL Corp., 590 F. Supp. 2d 1306, 1315 (D. Nev. 2008)

20

12

Weeks Dye Works, Inc. v. Valdani, Inc., No. 92049174, 2010 WL 2104147
(T.T.A.B. May 11, 2010)

12

13

Wham-O, Inc. v. Paramount Pictures Corp., 286 F. Supp. 2d 1254 (N.D. Cal. 2003)

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Winter v. Natural Res. Defense Council, 555 U.S. 7 (2008)

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7, 8

15
Statutes
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Stats. 2007, c. 711 (A.B.1484)

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15 U.S.C.
§1125(c)(1)
§1125(c)(2)(A)
§1125(c)(3)
§1125(c)(3)(A)
§1125(c)(A)
§1125(2)(B)
Bus. & Prof. Code §14330

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Other Authorities

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2 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition (4th ed.
2003)
§12:2
§12:13
§24:89

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New Oxford American Dictionary

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Oxford English Dictionary

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AMAZON’S OPPOSITION TO MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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2, 12
11, 13
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11-cv-01327 PJH

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INTRODUCTION

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When tech companies engage in legal squabbles about who gets to use our everyday words,
what are ordinary speakers of the language to make of it all? (“The Great Language Land
Grab,” The New York Times, March 26, 2011) (Declaration of Sarah J. Givan (“Givan Decl.”)
Ex. 22 at 443)

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In its Motion for Preliminary Injunction (“Motion”), Apple asserts that because it was the first to refer

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to its application download service for its mobile devices as an “app store,” it is entitled to bar all

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competitors from using the term “app store” to refer to their own online stores that sell apps. At the core of

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this dispute is the distinction between names that are generic (and hence ineligible for trademark protection)

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and those that are distinctive (and hence eligible for trademark protection). A term is generic if it describes

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the type of product or service—e.g., a bookstore, computer store, or app store—rather than the producer.

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Recent Ninth Circuit decisions are clear on the proper analysis to be employed when a company attempts to

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appropriate as a purported trademark a term that is synonymous with its product: a generic term answers the

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question “what are you?” By contrast, a distinctive mark—such as Amazon or Apple—answers the

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question “who are you?”

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The word “app” is indisputably generic for “applications” that smartphone users download to their

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phones. Indeed, Apple does not claim trademark protection for “app” standing alone. Likewise, the term

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“store” is generic. Apple’s claim for trademark protection, therefore, must rest on the argument that the

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combination of these two generic terms results in a protectable mark.

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unquestionably answers the question “what are you?”—a store for apps. Apple’s App Store is a store for

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apps that are compatible with Apple mobile devices. Amazon Appstore for Android is a store for apps that

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are compatible with Android mobile devices.

But the term “app store”

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An owner of a purported mark who itself uses that mark generically is estopped as a matter of law

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from asserting protectability. In an October 18, 2010 conference call with financial analysts, Steve Jobs—

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Apple’s founder and CEO—himself repeatedly used “app stores” generically to identify app stores for

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phones employing Google’s Android operating system:

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In addition to Google’s own app marketplace, Amazon, Verizon and Vodafone have all
announced that they are creating their own app stores for Android. There will be at least four
app stores on Android which customers must search through to find the app they want and
developers will need to work to distribute their apps and get paid. Contrast this with Apple’s

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integrated App Store, which offers users the easiest-to-use largest app store in the world,
preloaded on every iPhone. (Givan Decl. Ex. 11 at 51 (emphases added))

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In addition to Apple’s own admissions, below Amazon provides evidence of dictionary definitions

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and generic use of “app store” by the media, industry press, competitors, and consumers. See Part II(A).

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The issue presented here is an important one with serious public policy implications:

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To grant an exclusive right to one firm of use of the generic name of a product [or service]
would be equivalent to creating a monopoly in that particular product, something that the
trademark laws were never intended to accomplish . . . . [A]s Judge Posner observed: “[I]t is
no purpose of trademark protection to allow a firm to prevent its competitors from informing
consumers about the attributes of the competitors’ brands.” (2 J. Thomas McCarthy,
McCarthy on Trademarks & Unfair Competition §12:2, at 12-9 to 10 (4th ed. 2009) (footnote
omitted))

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Apple’s claim of likely confusion independently lacks merit. As Apple acknowledges and customers

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know, apps sold through Apple’s App Store work only on Apple’s mobile devices, while apps sold through

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Amazon Appstore for Android work only on Android smartphones. Customers who have shopped for and

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purchased expensive mobile devices are, at the very minimum, sophisticated enough to know, if they choose

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to buy apps at all, that the apps they acquire must be compatible with the device they own. iPhone owners

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simply cannot purchase apps from Amazon Appstore for Android, because Amazon only sells apps to

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Android device owners. In its failed attempt to fashion a legal theory, Apple improperly dismisses the

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binding authority of the Ninth Circuit’s most recent internet trademark decision—Network Automation, Inc.

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v. Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d 2036 (9th Cir. 2011)—and asks this Court to apply an

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analysis contrary to the law. See Part II(B), infra.

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Apple’s theory of dilution likewise fails because anti-dilution laws were never intended to protect

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generic terms like “app store,” “credit card,” “underwear,” and “bookstore.” Only famous marks warrant

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protection from dilution by blurring or tarnishment, and “app store” does not qualify. See Part II(C), infra.

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Even if “app store” were famous, Amazon’s use of the term in Amazon Appstore for Android does not

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dilute Apple’s alleged mark, and Amazon’s use of the term constitutes fair use and is not actionable. See id.

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This is not a close case. Apple has no likelihood of success on the merits, and there is no likelihood of

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immediate and irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction. Likewise, the balance of equities and the

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public interest both weigh against an injunction. Like Apple, Amazon and other retailers with app stores

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must be able to call their app stores what they are. Apple’s Motion should be denied.
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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STATEMENT OF FACTS

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A.

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Evidence of dictionary definitions, Apple’s own generic use of “app” and “app store”, and generic use

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by the general and industry press, competitors, and consumers themselves demonstrates that “app store” is a

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term that the relevant consuming public understands to denote a store for apps.

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Evidence Of The Genericness Of “App Store”.

1.

Dictionary Definitions Of “App”, “Store”, And “App Store”.

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The Oxford English Dictionary defines “app” as “[a]n application, esp. an application program,” and

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indicates that “app” has been in use since 1985. Givan Decl. Ex. 1 at 1. Other dictionaries confirm that

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“app” is a shorthand term for “application”, and that an application, in the context of computing, is “a

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program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose.” Id. Exs. 1-2. The New Oxford

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American Dictionary defines “store” as “a retail establishment selling items to the public.” Id. Ex. 3. PC

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Magazine’s online Encyclopedia defines “app store” as “an online store for downloading applications,” and

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notes that Apple’s App Store was “followed with the debut of app stores for the Android, Blackberry and

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new Windows phone platforms.” Declaration of Robert A. Leonard (“Leonard Decl.”) Ex. 10; see also

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Givan Decl. Ex. 4 (definition of “online app stores”).

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The American Dialect Society, a leading group of United States linguists, recently voted “app” as the

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“Word of the Year” for 2010, noting that although the word “has been around for ages,” it “really exploded

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in the last 12 months” with the “arrival of ‘app stores’ for a wide spectrum of operating systems for phones

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and computers.” Id. Ex. 4.

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2.

Apple’s Generic Use Of “App” And “App Store”.

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As noted in Apple’s Amended Complaint, Apple’s App Store opened in July 2008. Amended

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Complaint (Docket No. 16) ¶9. Apple did not, however, coin the terms “app” or “app store.” As noted

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above, “app” has been around for decades, and the company Salesforce.com announced an “AppStore

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vision” in 2006, stating that its customers would “be able to use AppStore as a single source for trying,

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buying and deploying on-demand applications . . . .” Givan Decl. Ex. 6.

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Apple’s App Store allows users to search, purchase, and download apps for their Apple mobile

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devices such as the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. Amended Complaint ¶8. Apple advertises its App Store as

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having “The World’s largest collection of mobile apps,” and invites users to “Download apps” and “Find
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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more perfect apps.” Givan Decl. Ex. 7. Apple refers to its “App Store” as an “applications store” and an

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“electronic store.” Id. Ex. 9 (2009 press releases calling Apple’s App Store “the largest applications store in

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the world) & Ex. 8 (in Apple’s iOS Developer Program License Agreement, calling Apple’s App Store “an

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electronic store”).

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Apple does not own a federal registration for the term “app store.”1 Significantly, Apple’s 2009 press

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releases did not list “App Store” as a trademark, despite listing many other trademarks such as APPLE,

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iPAD, and iPHONE. See Givan Decl. Ex. 9. Even more telling, and indeed decisive, are the comments

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made in October 2010 by Steve Jobs during an analyst call:

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10

Amazon, Verizon and Vodafone have all announced that they are creating their own app
stores for Android. There will be at least four app stores on Android which customers must
search through to find the app they want . . . . (Givan Decl. Ex. 11 at 51 (emphases added))

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Mr. Jobs then boasted that “Apple’s Integrated App Store . . . offers users the easiest-to-use largest app store

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in the world, preloaded on every iPhone.” Id. His comments were published by Apple and widely reported

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online and in the press, including NPR Morning Edition. Id. Exs. 9, 12.

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3.

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16
17

Generic Use Of “App Store” By The Media, Industry Press, And
Competitors.

“App store” is commonly used by the general and trade press as the name for online retail stores
featuring apps. A representative sample includes:

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CNET.com, October 21, 2008:

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New mobile app stores launched by Apple, Google, and Research in Motion could shift the
balance of power in the mobile market away from wireless operators and toward device and
platform developers. (Givan Decl. Ex. 13 at 65)

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21

ABA Site-tation, April 9, 2009:
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24
25
26
27
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Gizmodo has now published a comparison of the “app” stores offered for each of the major
Smartphones. App stores are the means by which Smartphone users browse, preview, and
purchase software to add functionality to their Smartphones. The comparison looks at app
stores for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm, and Nokia
(Symbian) . . . . (Id. Ex. 13 at 73)
1

Apple’s Application No. 77/525,433 to register the mark APP STORE is the subject of Opposition
No. 91195592, pending before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”). The Opposer in that case, Microsoft Corporation, has asserted that
“app store” is generic and, on January 10, 2011, filed a motion for summary judgment on that ground.
That motion is currently pending. Givan Decl. ¶26 & Ex. 25.
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Wired.com, August 31, 2009:

2

4

Samsung Joins the App Store Party . . . . Since Apple introduced the iPhone App Store as a
centralized clearing house for mobile applications in 2008, app stores have become an
important part of the business strategy for most handset makers. Blackberry manufacturer
Research in Motion, Palm and Nokia have all launched app stores this year. (Id. Ex. 13 at
77)

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New York Times, November 26, 2009:

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THE RISE OF THE APPS . . . .This year, the idea caught fire. New app stores opened for
the Blackberry, Palm phones (the Pre and Pixi) and Windows smartphones. They join the
existing stores for the iPhone/iPad Touch and phones that run on Google’s Android phone
software. (Id. Ex. 14 at 149)

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7
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Investor’s Business Daily, September 29, 2010:
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App Stores Offer Feast For Window-Shoppers Applications abundant for iPhone,
BlackBerry, Android smartphones . . . .A smart phone is anything but a mere phone
nowadays. The name of the game: apps . . . .When users poke around smart-phone app stores,
they find a wide range of applications . . . . (Id. Ex. 14 at 157)

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CNN.com, December 22, 2010

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App stores are booming, but there may not be enough applications to fill them all. Google,
Apple and Facebook all maintain app marketplaces for their respective platforms and more
companies are preparing to launch their own stores . . . .Browser makers Mozilla and Opera
Software are each working on app stores that could tie into their desktop and mobile
browsers. (Id. Ex. 13 at 125)

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See also Ex. 15 (headlines using plural term “app stores”); Ex. 16 (Wikipedia article re Apple App Store

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noting that “[a]fter the success of Apple’s App Store, and the launch of similar services by its competitors,

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the term ‘app store’ has been used to refer to any similar service for mobile devices”).

10

14

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“App store” is also used by other retailers to refer to their stores, such as DIRECTV App Store;

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@metro App Store; Sprint Partner App Stores; White Label App Store; Shopify App Store; Palm App Store;

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Appstore for Symbian; Mobile2Day Appstore for Blackberry; Handango Mobile App Store; AndAppStore;

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Handmark Mobile App Store for Android; Sentrion App Store; DC App Store; MobiHand App Store

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Launcher; DNAappstore; The PC App Store; iPAQ Appstore; GetJar app store; Mini App Stores; Tristit

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App Store; MiKandi App Store; and Android App Store. Givan Decl. Exs. 17-18, 21. As of March 2011,

25

there were over 2,100 active registered domain names containing the term “app store.” Id. Ex. 20. Inventors

26

have also used the term “app store” generically in patent applications. Id. Ex. 19.

27
28
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In its Motion, Apple cites to isolated statements to suggest that the press and public agree that Apple

2

should be able to appropriate the generic term “app store.” Mot. at 21. To the contrary, Apple’s lawsuit has

3

actually been met by the press and consumers with incredulity:

4

ReadWriteWeb, “Apple Says Other App Stores Can’t Be Called App Stores,” March 21, 2011:

5

Intel has an app store, Samsung, Motorola and LG have app stores. My local public transit
agency in Portland, Oregon has an app store. I bet you can think of some app stores too.
Google News can find more than 6,000 news stories that used the word App Store in 2010
alone—excluding stories that include any words associated with Apple products!

6
7

MediaPost MoBlog, “Appsolutely Ridiculous Lawsuit,” March 22, 2011:
8

11

Apparently, there’s many app stores—but only one App Store. That’s essentially Apple’s
claim in its trademark suit against Amazon . . . . But the term “app store” is commonly used
to refer to the app storefront of any company operating one, as in the “GetJar app store” or
the “Blackberry app store.” Other companies may have specific branded names for their app
stores, like Android Market or Blackberry App World, but the generic term for this category
of retailing is “app store.”

12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 27, 2011:

13

By the way, as soon as Amazon announced its app store, Apple sued, claiming that it violates
the trademark Apple has applied for on the words “app store.” Give me a break.

9
10

14
15
16
17
18

(Givan Decl. Ex. 22 (emphases added)).
4.

Generic Use Of “App Store” By Consumers.

Like the press, consumers also use “app store” to refer to online app stores offered by Apple’s
competitors, as demonstrated by postings on Internet blogs and recent Congressional testimony, e.g.:

19

Posted by tk772 on engadget.com:

20
21

If someone has apps from 5 different app stores, how do they update all their apps? Will they
have to log into each store and check for updates? Will they have to have 5 app store updater
background tasks running? . . . (Givan Decl. Ex. 23 at 457)

22

Posted by Kevin Krause on October 11, 2010 on phandroid.com:

23
24

Now that it is all but confirmed that Amazon will be pitching their own Android app store . . .
We have long been familiar with the idea of carrier-centric app stores with Android. (Givan
Decl. Ex. 23 at 464)

25

Posted by Hendrix on October 11, 2010 on phandroid.com:

26

Yeah, I honestly don’t see a need for 5000 app stores. (Givan Decl. Ex. 23 at 466)

27

Congressional testimony of Ashkan Soltani, March 16, 2011:

28

Mobile phones, televisions, set top boxes . . . are now equipped with Internet connectivity and
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2

can leverage Web services which include online advertisement. Some of these platforms also
allow applications written by third parties, the most prominent example being app stores on
mobile smartphones. (Givan Decl. Ex. 24 at 475)

3

B.

4

Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon went online in 1995 at www.amazon.com, starting as an

5

online bookstore. It soon diversified, selling DVDs, CDs, MP3 downloads, computer software, video

6

games, electronics, apparel, furniture, toys, and more. Amazon is one of the largest online retailers in the

7

United States, with over 33,000 employees and over $34 billion in total annual gross revenue in 2010.

8

Declaration of Aaron Rubenson (“Rubenson Decl.”) ¶12.

Amazon Appstore For Android.

9

Amazon decided in 2010 to sell Android smartphone apps through its own online store—Amazon

10

Appstore for Android. Amazon’s intention to open an app store for Android apps became public in October

11

2010. Id. ¶3. On March 22, 2011, Amazon launched Amazon Appstore for Android on www.amazon.com.

12

Amazon Appstore for Android is an app store that allows consumers to view and download apps for their

13

Android devices. Users may shop either on the www.amazon.com website, or from the Amazon Appstore

14

app on their Android mobile devices. As reflected by its name and explained on Amazon’s website, apps

15

sold at Amazon Appstore for Android are compatible only with Android devices. Thus, only customers who

16

own Android devices and have downloaded the Amazon Appstore for Android app onto their Android

17

smartphone may use Amazon Appstore for Android. Id. ¶4. Amazon Appstore for Android does not offer

18

apps for use with Apple mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Id. ¶6.

19
20

ARGUMENT
I.

A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IS AN EXTRAORDINARY REMEDY.

21

“[A] preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic remedy, one that should not be granted

22

unless the movant, by a clear showing, carries the burden of persuasion.” Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S.

23

968, 972 (1997) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Such relief is “to be issued sparingly.”

24

Wham-O, Inc. v. Paramount Pictures Corp., 286 F. Supp. 2d 1254 (N.D. Cal. 2003).

25

To obtain injunctive relief, a plaintiff must prove: “(1) a likelihood of success on the merits, (2) a

26

likelihood of irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction, (3) that the balance of equities tips in favor of

27

issuing an injunction and (4) that an injunction is in the public interest.” Maxim Integrated Prods. v.

28

Quintana, 654 F. Supp. 2d 1024, 1030 (N.D. Cal. 2009) (citing Winter v. Natural Res. Defense Council, 555
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U.S. 7 (2008), and holding that after Winter, a trademark plaintiff is no longer entitled to a presumption of

2

irreparable harm on the ground that it has shown a likelihood of success on the merits). Apple has not met

3

this stringent burden.

4

II.

5
6

APPLE HAS FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS LIKELY TO SUCCEED ON
THE MERITS OF ITS CLAIMS AT TRIAL.
A.

The Unregistered Term “App Store” Is Generic.

7

Potential trademarks fall into four categories of increasing distinctiveness: (1) generic, (2) descriptive,

8

(3) suggestive, and (4) arbitrary or fanciful. Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S. 763, 768

9

(1992); Japan Telecom, Inc. v. Japan Telecom Am. Inc., 287 F.3d 866, 872 (9th Cir. 2002). Generic terms

10

“are common words or phrases that describe a class of goods rather than an individual product.” Japan

11

Telecom, 287 F.3d at 872 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). A generic term “cannot be the

12

subject of trademark protection under any circumstances, even with a showing of secondary meaning.”

13

Filipino Yellow Pages, Inc. v. Asian Journal Publ’ns, Inc., 198 F.3d 1143, 1146-47 (9th Cir. 1999).

14

By contrast, a descriptive term “describe[s] the qualities or characteristics of a product.” KP

15

Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., 408 F.3d 596, 602 (9th Cir. 2005); see also

16

Surgicenters of Am., Inc. v. Med. Dental Surgeries, Co., 601 F.2d 1011, 1014 (9th Cir. 1979) (a descriptive

17

term “specifically describes a characteristic or ingredient of an article or service”); Henri’s Food Prods. Co.

18

v. Tasty Snacks, Inc., 817 F.2d 1303, 1306 (7th Cir. 1987) (concluding that “tasty” was descriptive, not

19

generic, since it describes a quality found in many types or genuses of salad dressing; contrasting “French

20

dressing” as generic because it represented a type or category of dressing). A descriptive term can be

21

trademarked, but only if it “has acquired ‘secondary meaning’ in the minds of consumers, i.e., it has become

22

distinctive of the [trademark] applicant’s goods in commerce.” Filipino Yellow Pages,198 F.3d at 1147

23

(citation and some internal quotation marks omitted).2 However, “[a] mark is not descriptive merely

24

because it conveys some minimal information about a product or service; if all it ‘describes’ is the common

25

name of the product or service, it is not protectable as a trademark.” Advertise.com, Inc. v. AOL Adver., Inc.,

26

616 F.3d 974, 982 (9th Cir. 2010) (citing Filipino Yellow Pages, 198 F.3d at 1147 (“Courts sometimes refer

27
28

2

Suggestive, arbitrary, and fanciful terms are considered inherently distinctive and are valid and
protectable without any proof of secondary meaning. Two Pesos, Inc., 505 U.S. at 768.
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to generic terms as ‘common descriptive’ names, the language used in the Lanham Act for terms incapable

2

of becoming trademarks”)).

3

Apple’s alleged “App Store” mark is not federally registered. In such cases, “the plaintiff has the

4

burden of proving nongenericness once the defendant asserts genericness as a defense.” Filipino Yellow

5

Pages, 198 F.3d at 1146. Apple cannot meet this burden.

6

1.

7

The Ninth Circuit Test For Genericness Compels A Finding That The Term
“App Store” Is Generic For A Store Featuring “Apps”.

8

Apple’s claim that “app store” is suggestive and thus inherently distinctive (Mot. at 8) is beyond

9

aggressive. Apple itself calls its App Store an “applications store.” Givan Decl. Ex. 7. Apple’s Amendment

10

to Allege Use under 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(c), filed with the USPTO on November 20, 2009, to prove use

11

of APP STORE in connection with its Application No. 77/525,433, demonstrates what Apple cannot dodge

12

through use of creative synonyms—that Apple’s App Store is simply an online store where consumers can

13

search for, choose, and download apps online.3 See Givan Decl. ¶11 & Ex. 10.

14

Because “app store” is not inherently distinctive, the validity of Apple’s purported APP STORE mark

15

turns upon whether it is generic or descriptive. The “ultimate test of whether a trademark is generic”

16

involves “determining how a term is understood by the consuming public.” Filipino Yellow Pages, 198 F.3d

17

at 1148 (citation omitted) (finding FILIPINO YELLOW PAGES generic because the consuming public

18

understood it to mean a telephone directory for the Filipino-American community) (citing Surgicenters of

19

Am., Inc., 601 F.2d at 1017 (finding SURGICENTER generic because the consuming public generally

20

understood it to mean surgical centers)).

21

The Ninth Circuit relies upon the “who-are-you/what-are-you” test to answer this question: “A mark

22

answers the buyer’s questions ‘Who are you?’ ‘Where do you come from?’ ‘Who vouches for you?’ But

23

the generic name of the product answers the question ‘What are you?’ Under this test, if the primary

24

significance of the trademark is to describe the type of product rather than the producer, the trademark is a

25

generic term and cannot be a valid trademark.” Filipino Yellow Pages, 198 F.3d at 1147 (citations, brackets,

26

and some internal quotation marks omitted; emphases in original). When a company running an app store is

27
28

3

The Money Store v. HarrisCorp Fin., Inc., 689 F.2d 666 (7th Cir. 1982), cited by Apple (Mot. at 89), is distinguishable because plaintiff was not selling money. Apple is selling apps.
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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asked to identify “what” its service is, it would be entirely appropriate to respond “an app store”. Likewise,

2

asking one of Apple’s competitors “Could you refer me to an app store?,” one would hardly be surprised if

3

they offered their own services. See Advertise.com, Inc, 616 F.3d at 978 (engaging in same analysis for

4

“advertising dot-com”).

5
6
7

Evidence of dictionary definitions, Apple’s own generic use, and generic usage by the media, relevant
industry, and consumers compels a finding of genericness.
a.

Dictionary Definitions Demonstrate That “App Store” Is Generic.

8

Dictionary definitions are “‘relevant and often persuasive in determining how a term is understood by

9

the consuming public, the ultimate test of whether a trademark is generic.’” Filipino Yellow Pages, 198 F.3d

10

at 1148 (citation omitted). “Although the distinctiveness inquiry considers the impression conveyed by the

11

mark as a whole, [courts] are permitted to begin our inquiry by separately viewing the component parts of

12

the mark.” Advertise.com, Inc., 616 F.3d at 977 (citations omitted). Accordingly, the first step is to consider

13

“app” and “store” taken separately. Id.

14

There can be no dispute that the term “app” is a generic shorthand for “application,” which is a

15

software program designed for a particular purpose for use on phones or computers. See Part A(1), supra.

16

The word “app” is so well-known that it was the “Word of the Year” in 2010. Id. There can also be no

17

dispute that the term “store” is generic. See id., supra. According to their common meanings, the terms

18

“app” and “store” together denote a store for apps, which even Apple’s own evidence demonstrates. See

19

Leonard Decl. ¶39 & Ex. 10.

20

Case law has established that terms that combine the generic name of a product with the generic

21

designator “store” are generic and unregistrable for retail store services featuring the product. See, e.g.,

22

Frehling Enters., Inc. v. Int’l Select Group, Inc., 192 F.3d 1330, 1335 (11th Cir. 1999) (“Generic marks are

23

the weakest and not entitled to protection-they refer to a class of which an individual service is a member

24

(e.g., ‘liquor store’ used in connection with the sale of liquor)”); S. S. Kresge Co. v. United Factory Outlet,

25

Inc. 598 F.2d 694, 696 (1st Cir. 1979) (“the term ‘mart’ is generic since it is another word for store or

26

market”; affirming denial of K-Mart’s motion for preliminary injunction to prevent defendant from using the

27

name “The Mart” on the basis that “mart” was generic); In re The Computer Store, Inc., 211 U.S.P.Q. 72

28

(T.T.A.B. 1981) (noting that applicant’s marketing materials described its services as a “store” and finding
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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that THE COMPUTER STORE was generic for an establishment where computers and computer parts were

2

sold and serviced). That app stores are online rather than “brick and mortar” does not change this analysis.

3

See In re 1800Mattress.com IP, LLC, 586 F.3d 1359, 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (“online mattress stores” and

4

“mattress.com” are both generic for online stores in the field of bedding). Indeed, Apple identifies both its

5

“online store” and “retail store” on its website. Givan Decl. Ex. 7.

6

b.

7

Apple Uses “App Store” Generically To Refer To Its Own And Its
Competitors’ App Stores.

8

When the proponent of a trademark uses the term generically itself, this “is strong evidence of

9

genericness.” Retail Servs., Inc. v. Freebies Publ’g, 364 F.3d 535, 545 (4th Cir. 2004) (quoting 2 J. Thomas

10

McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition §12:13 (4th ed. 2003)) (finding “freebies”

11

generic and noting that the owner of www.freebies.com had used it generically on the website); see also CG

12

Roxane LLC v. Fiji Water Co. LLC, 569 F. Supp. 2d 1019, 1029 (N.D. Cal. 2008) (“a kind of estoppel arises

13

when the proponent of a trademark use is proven to have itself used the term before the public as a generic

14

name” (citations and internal quotation marks omitted)).

15

As shown above, Apple frequently uses the term “app” generically to refer to the applications featured

16

in its App Store. See Part A(2), supra. Apple refers to its App Store as an “application store” and an

17

“electronic store.” See id., supra. Steve Jobs himself has referred to Apple’s App Store as “the easiest-to-

18

use largest app store in the world”, and used the plural term “app stores” to refer to competitors’ app stores

19

for Android phones. See id., supra. As noted in a recent New York Times article, “[b]lithely pluralizing ‘app

20

store’ like that is no way to protect a trademark that is supposed to be distinctive.” Givan Decl. Ex. 22 at

21

444.

22

Accordingly, Apple “has admitted that the primary significance of its [“App Store”] trademark is to

23

describe the type of product (or, “what are you?”), which is a clear indication of a generic mark.” Network

24

Automation, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., No. CV-08-4675 JFW (RZx), 2009 WL 5908719, at *5 (C.D. Cal.

25

Sept. 14, 2009). Apple is estopped from now claiming otherwise.

26
27
28

c.

Usage In The Media, By Competitors, and Consumers Confirm That
“App Store” Is Generic.

Federal courts also view generic usage of a term by the media and others in the industry as “strong
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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evidence of how the public perceives the term.” Classic Foods Int’l Corp. v. Kettle Foods, Inc., 468 F.

2

Supp. 2d 1181, 1189-91 (C.D. Cal. 2007). As shown above, numerous articles mentioning “app stores”

3

demonstrate that the mark answers “what” Apple’s App Store is—an online store featuring applications. See

4

Part A(3), supra; Givan Decl. Exs. 13-18. Likewise, the words “app store” are often used by other app

5

stores generically, as part of their own names, and in their domain names. See id., supra; Givan Decl. Exs.

6

20-22; Advertise.com, Inc., 616 F.3d at 980 (noting evidence of domain names incorporating

7

“advertising.com” could be “sufficient to prove genericness under a clear evidence standard when the

8

elements of the mark are highly generic, even in the face of substantial rebuttal evidence”) (citing In re

9

Hotels.com, 573 F.3d 1300, 1304-06 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (declarations that mark was not generic and a

10

customer survey did not negate ultimate conclusion of genericness)). Finally, there is direct evidence that

11

consumers themselves view and use “app store” generically. Givan Decl. Exs. 23-24.

12

Apple points out that other competitors “have all found terms other than APP STORE” to name their

13

app stores. Mot. at 11. But the fact that alternate names may also describe an “app store” (e.g., “app

14

market” or “app catalog”) is irrelevant. “[T]he existence of synonyms for a term does not mean the term is

15

not generic. There may be more than one term which the consuming public understands as designating a

16

category of goods.” Loctite Corp. v. Nat’l Starch & Chem. Corp., 516 F. Supp. 190, 201 (S.D.N.Y. 1981)

17

(noting that “super glue”, “instant glue”, “ten second glue” were all generic). See also Ale House Mgmt.,

18

Inc. v. Raleigh Ale House, Inc., 205 F.3d 137, 141 (4th Cir. 2000) (“[‘Ale house’] are generic words for a

19

facility that serves beer and ale, with or without food, just as are other similar terms such as ‘bar,’ ‘lounge,’

20

‘pub,’ ‘saloon,’ or ‘tavern’”); Weeks Dye Works, Inc. v. Valdani, Inc., No. 92049174, 2010 WL 2104147, at

21

*6 (T.T.A.B. May 11, 2010) (“the fact that another term is available for use by competitors does not

22

transform a generic term into capable matter”); 2 J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and

23

Unfair Competition, §12:2, at 12-9 to 10 (4th ed. 2003) (discussing hypothetical claim to generic term “cell

24

phone” requiring competitors to use “wireless phone” or “portable phone” as alternate names).

25

Apple asserts that virtually all of its competitors who tried to use “app store” gave up when Apple sent

26

cease and desist letters. Mot. at 6. First, the exercise by Apple of its considerable muscle proves nothing

27

more than its aggressiveness. Second, the assertion is untrue. Others are using the term (Givan Decl.

28
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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Exs. 20-21); Microsoft is opposing registration of the term in the TTAB; and others have initiated foreign

2

cancellation proceedings. Givan Decl. ¶26 & Ex. 25.

3

d.

4

Alleged Consumer Awareness Of Apple’s App Store Cannot Negate
Genericness.

5

Apple asserts that its App Store has achieved secondary meaning and is famous among consumers.4

6

Mot. at 6. But whether Apple’s App Store has obtained secondary meaning is irrelevant to the question of

7

whether “app store” is generic, as no amount of secondary meaning can make a generic mark protectable.

8

Filipino Yellow Pages, 198 F.3d at 1146 (“If the term is generic, it cannot be the subject of trademark

9

protection under any circumstances, even with a showing of secondary meaning”); Retail Servs., Inc, 364

10

F.3d at 547 (“Evidence of an acquired secondary meaning, however, has no relevance unless the mark in

11

question has been found not to be generic”); America Online, Inc. v. AT&T Corp., 243 F.3d 812, 822 (4th

12

Cir. 2001) (finding that “You Have Mail” was generic despite evidence that AOL was “the most widespread

13

user of the phrase”).

14

There is no dispute that Apple was an early successful entrant into the app business. But Apple cannot

15

block competitors from using a generic name just because it was the first to popularize app stores. “To allow

16

trademark protection for generic terms, . . . even when [they] have become identified with a first user, would

17

grant the owner of the mark a monopoly, since a competitor could not describe his goods as what they are.”

18

Advertise.com, Inc., 616 F.3d at 981 (quoting Surgicenters of Am., Inc. v. Med. Dental Surgeries Co., 601

19

F.2d 1011, 1017 (9th Cir. 1979) (quotation marks omitted)). Any secondary meaning or fame Apple has in

20

“App Store” is de facto secondary meaning that cannot convert the generic term “app store” into a

21

protectable trademark. See Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v. New York Air Lines, Inc., 559 F. Supp. 1270, 1275

22

(S.D.N.Y. 1983) (evidence that consumers associated “Shuttle” with Eastern Airlines did not mean “shuttle”

23

was not generic; “[a]ll it demonstrates is that a likely response to any generic word is the name of the best

24

known producer or manufacturer of that product”); Kellogg Co. v. Nat’l Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. 111, 118-19

25
26
27
28

4

Apple relies heavily on the Declaration of Robert A. Leonard to support its argument of secondary
meaning and non-genericness. See Mot. at 5-6 & 9-11. Amazon notes that Apple filed a very similar
Leonard Declaration in Opposition No. 91195592 on February 28, 2011. On March 29, 2011, Microsoft
filed the Declaration of Dr. Ronald R. Butters, which revealed numerous flaws and omissions in Leonard's
purported analysis. Givan Decl. Exs. 26-27. Amazon incorporates Butters’ critique by reference.
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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(1938) (rejecting claim that plaintiff had exclusive right to use generic name “shredded wheat” because it

2

had become associated with plaintiff as the first user); In re Jonathan Drew, Inc. dba Drew Estate, Serial

3

No. 78979742, 2009 WL 5253035, at *5 (T.T.A.B. Dec. 31, 2009) (“We do not question that applicant may

4

be a ‘leading maker’ . . . of ‘infused cigars’ or even that applicant coined the term. The problem is that none

5

of these facts overcomes the generic meaning of ‘infused cigars’ . . . ”).

6

In any event, “[t]he volume of evidence required to show, or disprove, the validity of a trademark is

7

not well-suited to the early stages of litigation such as [a] motion for preliminary injunctive relief.”

8

Microsoft Corp. v. Lindows.com, Inc., 2002 WL 31499329, 64 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1397, 1410 (W.D. Wash.

9

2002). In Microsoft, Microsoft sought a preliminary injunction against Lindows.com based on its registered

10

mark WINDOWS. Microsoft presented compelling evidence that WINDOWS had acquired secondary

11

meaning, but Lindows.com presented substantial evidence that WINDOWS was generic. Id. at 1403, 1410.

12

Noting that “the validity of the Windows mark is a threshold issue upon which all subsequent analysis . . .

13

depends,” the court found that serious questions were raised about the validity of its mark, and denied the

14

request for a preliminary injunction. Id. at 1410, 1411. Similarly in Dymo Indus., Inc. v. TapePrinter, Inc.,

15

326 F.2d 141 (9th Cir. 1964), the threshold was the difficult question of whether the registered

16

TAPEWRITER mark was “so descriptive of a product that writes on plastic and metal tapes as to make it

17

ineligible for registration.” Id. at 142. Appellee had introduced some evidence “which upon further

18

development may disclose the mark was not subject to registration.” Id. at 143. Noting that “a preliminary

19

injunction is the exercise of a very far reaching power never to be indulged in except a case clearly

20

warranting it” (id.), the Ninth Circuit affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction.

21

Notwithstanding Amazon’s inability to conduct a survey or engage in discovery due to time

22

constraints, the press, competitors, consumers, and even Apple’s own founder and CEO Steve Jobs all use

23

“app store” to refer to the entire category of online stores that allows users to download apps for their mobile

24

phones. No matter how popular Apple’s App Store might be, “app store” is generic.

25
26

B.

Even If “App Store” Is Not Generic, Apple Cannot Demonstrate Any Likelihood
Of Confusion, Let Alone The Clear Showing Required For Preliminary Relief.

27

Apple’s trademark infringement claim also fails because it cannot show that consumers are likely to

28

confuse Amazon Appstore for Android with Apple’s App Store; i.e., there is no confusion as to the origin of
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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the goods or services the respective companies offer. AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341 (9th Cir.

2

1979). As previously noted, Apple acknowledges a fact critical to this analysis: apps sold at Apple’s App

3

Store work only on Apple’s mobile devices and apps sold at Amazon Appstore for Android work only on

4

Android devices. Mot. at 14. So even the hypothetical Apple iPhone owner browsing at Amazon Appstore

5

for Android will realize immediately that she cannot purchase apps there for her Apple device. Surely Apple

6

is not suggesting that this customer is then likely to abandon her iPhone in favor of an Android smartphone

7

so that she may purchase apps at Amazon Appstore for Android.

8

Customers of Apple’s App Store and Amazon Appstore for Android are most definitely not the

9

careless or “less technologically savvy” consumers Apple describes them to be. Id. at 16. They are

10

sophisticated consumers who have an expensive purchase in common: each is an owner of at least one

11

mobile device. A new iPhone 4, for example, without subscribing to a wireless plan, costs $599 for 16GB

12

($199 with 2 year phone plan) and $699 for 32GB ($299 with 2 year phone plan). Givan Decl. Ex. 28. The

13

various types of smartphones that use the Android operating system can range from $239.99 and $599.99 for

14

the phone itself without a phone plan. Givan Decl. Ex. 29. A Google survey, in fact, found that smartphone

15

buyers are highly discriminate shoppers who invest time in shopping for their purchase: 17% spent 4 weeks

16

or more; 25% spent 1 week but less than 4 weeks; and 20% spent more than 2 days but less than 1 week.

17

Givan Decl. Ex. 30 (Wireless Shoppers 2.0: How Consumers Shop for Wireless Phones (February 2010)).

18

Apple would have this Court believe that these same smartphone customers are nevertheless unable to

19

discern that Amazon Appstore for Android does not sell apps for their Apple devices.

20

One need go no further than the name Amazon Appstore for Android to see that apps sold by Amazon

21

are for Android devices. To purchase apps through Amazon Appstore for Android, a consumer must

22

provide an email or telephone number at the “Get Started” box on Amazon Appstore for Android’s home

23

page that opens a window with the following message: “Start using the Amazon Appstore on your Android

24

device in a few simple clicks” (emphasis added). Paleja Decl. ¶4. The consumer then receives a notification

25

via email: “Download the Amazon Appstore app immediately by clicking https://www.amazon.com/app-

26

email from your Android device” (emphasis added). Id.

27

No wonder that Apple relegates the most recent Ninth Circuit Internet trademark decision to a

28

footnote (Mot. at 13 n.3) and disregards its binding authority to claim that a “trinity” of factors should take
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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priority in internet cases: (1) similarity of marks; (2) relatedness of goods; and (3) similarity of marketing

2

channels (id. at 12). Network Automation, Inc. v. Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc., however, expressly

3

rejects the rote application of this “Internet trinity”, because “it makes no sense to prioritize the same three

4

factors for every type of potential online commercial activity” (97 U.S.P.Q. 2d 2036, 2043 (9th Cir. 2011)):

5

[W]e did not intend [ ] to forever enshrine these three factors—now often referred to as the
‘Internet trinity’ or ‘Internet troika’—as the test for trademark infringement on the Internet. . . .
Depending on the facts of each specific case arising on the Internet, other factors may emerge
as more illuminating on the question of consumer confusion. (Id. at 2038 (reversing the
district court’s decision and vacating preliminary injunction against plaintiff’s use of
defendant’s trademark as a search-engine keyword))

6
7
8
9
10
11

Here, the nonexhaustive Sleekcraft factors used to evaluate likelihood of confusion redounds in Amazon’s
favor. See Sleekcraft, 599 F.2d at 348-49.
1.

Smartphone Consumers Are Aware That There Is No Overlap In Goods.

12

Both Apple and Amazon have app stores. However, the relevant inquiry is whether app customers

13

will mistakenly assume that there is an association between the parties’ app stores. Even where the products

14

at issue are “virtually interchangeable,” this factor “must be considered in conjunction with the labeling and

15

appearance of the advertisements and the degree of care exercised by the consumers [ ].” Network

16

Automation, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2044 (“the proximity of the goods would become less important if

17

advertisements are clearly labeled or consumers exercise a high degree of care, because rather than being

18

misled, the consumer would merely be confronted with choices among similar products”).

19

As demonstrated by the purchase of their expensive mobile devices, Apple’s and Amazon’s app store

20

customers are sophisticated consumers. See p. 15, supra. Ignoring Network Automation, Apple contends in

21

its Motion that the “Ninth Circuit has counseled that consumers are unlikely to exercise significant care

22

when navigating the internet” and cites GoTo.com, Inc. v. Walt Disney Co., 202 F.3d 1199 (9th Cir. 2000).

23

Mot. at 16. Yet, the Ninth Circuit has expressly disregarded GoTo.com as outdated:

24

26

[T]he district court improperly concluded that this factor weighed in [appellee’s] favor based
on a conclusion reached by our court more than a decade ago in Brookfield and GoTo.com that
Internet users on the whole exercise a lower degree of care. While the statement may have
been accurate then, we suspect that there are many contexts in which it no longer holds true.
(Network Automation, 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2046)

27

Because “the default degree of consumer care is becoming more heightened as the novelty of the Internet

28

evaporates and online commerce becomes commonplace” (id.), the relevant consumer is “a reasonably

25

DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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prudent consumer accustomed to shopping online for expensive products” (Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. v.

2

Tabari, 610 F.3d 1171, 1176 (2010)). “Unreasonable, imprudent and inexperienced web shoppers are not

3

relevant.” Id.

4

Perhaps implicitly acknowledging the weakness of its analysis, Apple claims that actionable “initial

5

interest” confusion may arise even if no sales are consummated. Mot. at 14. However, “it would be wrong

6

to expand the initial interest confusion theory of infringement beyond the realm of the misleading and

7

deceptive to the context of legitimate comparative and contextual advertising.” Network Automation, Inc.,

8

97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2042. Where the service in question is prominently labeled as that of a competitor’s (here,

9

Android), no one can be confused.

10

This factor favors Amazon, and, indeed, is by itself dispositive. Id. at 2041 (“[t]he Sleekcraft factors

11

are intended as an adaptable proxy for consumer confusion, not a rote checklist”); Dreamwerks Prod.

12

Group, Inc. v. SKG Studio, 142 F.3d 1127, 1129 (9th Cir. 1998) (“The factors should not be rigidly weighed;

13

we do not count beans”).

14

2.

“App Store” Is Weak.

15

The stronger a mark, the greater the protection it is accorded by trademark laws. See Network

16

Automation, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2043 (citing Brookfield, 174 F.3d at 1058). The relevant measurement

17

here is conceptual strength, which depends largely on the obviousness of the mark’s connection to the good

18

to which it refers. Id.. “App store” is generic. Section II(A), supra. The weakness of “app store” is

19

probative because a consumer searching for an “app store” is more likely to be searching for a store that sells

20

apps—i.e., a product category. By contrast, a user searching for a distinctive term is more likely to be

21

looking for a particular product (e.g., NIKE rather than shoes; TIFFANY rather than bracelets; BURBERRY

22

rather than raincoats).

23

Apple’s claim to strength is based primarily on its alleged advertising efforts and the purported

24

number of apps sold—i.e., “commercial strength.” Mot. at 15-16. The Ninth Circuit has instructed that

25

commercial strength should not be considered in deciding a preliminary injunction motion: “commercial

26

strength, . . . as an evidence-intensive inquiry, is unnecessary at the preliminary injunction stage.” Id. at

27

2044. This factor favors Amazon.

28
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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3.

There Is No Evidence That Amazon Intended To Mislead Consumers.

2

No evidence of ill intent exists. Mere knowledge of a plaintiff’s mark does not come close to showing

3

bad faith, especially where the defendant—like Amazon—believes the use to be generic and lacking in

4

confusion. See Packman v. Chicago Tribune Co., 267 F.3d 628, 644-45 (7th Cir. 2001) (rejecting plaintiff’s

5

claim that knowledge of its mark demonstrated bad faith, concluding that use of a descriptive phrase is

6

consistent with intent to inform consumers about properties of defendant’s own product and not to pass-off).

7

4.

The Marks As Encountered In The Marketplace Are Not Similar.

8

Apple claims that this factor weighs in its favor because (1) both parties use “app” and “store”; and

9

(2) use of the housemark AMAZON with Appstore is either irrelevant or exacerbates consumer confusion.

10

Mot. at 13-14. Apple overlooks the requirement that, in judging similarity, marks are considered as they are

11

encountered in the marketplace. See Sleekcraft, 599 F.2d at 351.

12

Given the undeniable fame of AMAZON, the dominant impression on consumers encountering

13

Amazon Appstore for Android is that it is an Amazon product to be used on Android smartphones; i.e., it

14

has a dissimilar commercial impression to Apple’s App Store.5 Notwithstanding Apple’s denial, prominent

15

use of a housemark reduces or eliminates the likelihood of confusion. Cohn v. Petsmart, Inc., 281 F.3d 837,

16

842 (9th Cir. 2002); see Nabisco, Inc. v. Warner-Lambert Co., 220 F.3d 43, 46 (2d Cir. 2000) (“prominent

17

use of its well-known house brand [DENTYNE] . . . significantly reduces, if not altogether eliminates, the

18

likelihood that consumers will be confused as to the source of the parties’ products”). Here, the addition of

19

the house mark AMAZON and the phrase “for Android” mitigate against any likely confusion.

20

5.

There Is No Evidence Of Actual Confusion.

21

While the importance of actual confusion is diminished at the preliminary injunction stage, Apple

22

concedes that “it is not feasible for Apple to obtain substantial evidence of actual confusion.” Mot. at 16; cf.

23

Network Automation, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2045 (“a showing of actual confusion among significant

24
5

25
26
27
28

The cases cited by Apple (Mot. at 13-14) both involved a defendant blatantly misappropriating a
plaintiff’s well-known marks. See Int’l Kennel Club of Chicago, Inc. v. Mighty Star, Inc., 846 F.2d 1079,
1088 (7th Cir. 1988) (defendants’ use of virtually unknown house mark “24K Polar Puff” in conjunction
with plaintiffs’ well-known International Kennel Club mark to sell stuffed dogs was a “poor excuse for the
defendants’ blatant misappropriation of the plaintiffs’ name”); A. T. Cross Co. v. Jonathan Bradley Pens,
Inc., 470 F.2d 689, 690-91 (2d Cir. 1972) (defendant’s sale of pens under name “La Crosse by Bradley”
with description “Inexpensive but looks like the high priced model” was clearly designed to evoke the
famous CROSS pen brand).
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numbers of consumers provides strong support for the likelihood of confusion”). This factor has no effect at

2

this point in the case.

3

6.

The Parties’ Use Of A Common Marketing Channel Is Irrelevant.

4

Apple claims that the fact that both parties advertise and sell apps on the Internet is highly probative.

5

Mot. at 15. The Ninth Circuit has expressly rejected this theory. “Today, it would be a rare commercial

6

retailer that did not advertise online, and the shared use of a ubiquitous marketing channel does not shed

7

much light on the likelihood of consumer confusion.” Network Automation, Inc., 97 U.S.P.Q. 2d at 2045.

8

Notwithstanding the irrelevance of this factor, a salient fact here is that apps compatible with Apple’s

9

devices can only be purchased at Apple’s App Store.

10
11

7.

There Is No Likelihood Of Expansion.

Amazon cannot expand into sales of apps for Apple devices without Apple’s permission. Thus, this

12

factor is irrelevant to the analysis at hand and does not favor entry of preliminary relief.

13

All relevant factors weigh in Amazon’s favor; no likelihood of confusion exists.

14

C.

15

Apple Cannot Demonstrate Any Likelihood Of Dilution, Let Alone The Clear
Showing Required For Preliminary Relief.

16

Apple cannot establish a likelihood of dilution because (1) “app store” is not a famous mark; (2) the

17

statutory blurring factors weigh in Amazon’s favor; and (3) tarnishment is inapplicable to this case. 15

18

U.S.C. §1125(c)(1).6 The Ninth Circuit has used Tylenol snowboards, Netscape sex shops, and Harry Potter

19

drycleaners as examples of uses that weaken the commercial magnetism of famous marks and diminish the

20

ability to evoke their original associations. Visa Int’l Serv. Ass’n. v. JSL Corp., 610 F.3d 1088, 1090 (9th

21

Cir. 2010). In other words, “app store” must—and does not—have “such powerful consumer associations

22

that even non-competing uses can impinge on their value.” Avery Dennison Corp. v. Sumpton, 189 F.3d

23

868, 875 (9th Cir. 1999). Irrespective of whether “app store” is famous, Amazon’s use of the term in

24

Amazon Appstore for Android constitutes fair use and is not actionable. 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(3).

25
26
27
28

6

Apple’s amended complaint also alleges state trademark dilution under Bus. & Prof. Code §14330.
Amended Compl. ¶¶43-45. The California legislature repealed the statute in 2007. See Stats. 2007, c. 711
(A.B.1484), §1.
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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1.

“App Store” Is Not A Famous Mark.

2

The gateway requirement for establishing dilution is fame, and it is the rare mark that qualifies for the

3

extraordinary scope of exclusivity given by anti-dilution laws. 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(A); Avery Dennison

4

Corp., 189 F.3d at 875 (“to meet the ‘famousness’ element of protection under the dilution statutes, ‘a mark

5

[must] be truly prominent and renowned’”). A showing greater than distinctiveness is required so as “not to

6

upset the balance in favor of over-protecting trademarks, at the expense of potential non-infringing uses.”

7

Avery Dennison Corp., 189 F.3d at 875.

8

VISA is famous but “credit card” is not; FRUIT OF THE LOOM is famous but “underwear” is not;

9

BARNES & NOBLE and AMAZON are famous but “bookstore” is not; and, while APPLE, iPOD, iPAD,

10

and iTUNES might be famous, “app store” most certainly is not. And protecting ownership rights over a

11

generic term like “app store” is not what Congress had in mind in crafting anti-dilution laws. Section II(a),

12

supra. See Network Automation, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Company, 2009 WL 5908719, at *11 (concluding

13

that the mark at issue “is clearly not famous because it is generic . . .”).

14

Four factors are probative in determining fame:

15

(1) [t]he duration, extent, and geographic reach of advertising and publicity of the mark,
whether advertised or publicized by the owner or third parties; (2) [t]he amount, volume, and
geographic extent of sales of goods or services offered under the mark; (3) [t]he extent of
actual recognition of the mark; [and] (4) [w]hether the mark was registered under the Act of
March 3, 1882, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the principal register. (15 U.S.C.
§1125(c)(2)(A))

16
17
18
19

These factors weigh in Amazon’s favor: Apple does not own a registration; it did not coin the mark in

20

controversy; and, the popularity of the iPhone7 notwithstanding, even Apple refers to its App Store as an

21

“applications store” and an “electronic store”. See Part A(2), supra. Apple also has presented no survey or

22

expert opinion regarding the extent of actual recognition of the mark. See Network Automation, 2009 WL

23

5908719 at *11; cf. Visa Int’l Serv. Ass’n, 590 F. Supp. 2d 1306, 1315 (D. Nev. 2008) (survey demonstrating

24

that 99% of respondents were aware of the VISA brand weighed heavily in favor of a finding of fame)).8

25
26
27
28

7

Apple’s attempt to conflate the alleged popularity of its iPods, iPads, and iPhones with the
purported fame of the term “app store” (see, e.g., Fischer Decl. ¶¶9, 10, 16) is a red herring. The relevant
inquiry is not whether Apple’s products are popular. It is whether the term “app store” is a famous and
exclusive source indicator for Apple.
8
Leonard offers not a survey but a purported “linguistic analysis of the term APP STORE” (Leonard
Decl. ¶11) based on review of usage of “app store” in databases, the internet, and dictionaries (id. ¶23).
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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The cases on which Apple relies further demonstrate that “app store” is not famous. Mot. at 18. In

2

Hotmail Corp. v. Van$ Money Pie Inc., 47 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1020 (N.D. Cal. 1998), this Court found that

3

HOTMAIL was famous because, among other things, Hotmail had developed the “arbitrary and fanciful”

4

mark (id. at 1023) and it had established consumer recognition (id. at 1024). Similarly, in Jada Toys, Inc. v.

5

Mattel, Inc., 518 F.3d 628 (9th Cir. 2008), the Ninth Circuit deemed HOT WHEELS to be sufficiently

6

famous because it was a registered, arbitrary mark coined by Mattel (i.e., they are toy miniature cars and not

7

wheels that are hot).

8

AUTOMATION not famous); Vallavista Corp. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 657 F. Supp. 2d 1132. 1137 (N.D. Cal.

9

2008) (finding TAXI WALLET not famous); Biosafe-One, Inc. v. Hawks, 524 F. Supp. 2d 452, 466-67

10

(S.D.N.Y 2007) (finding BIO-SAFE septic system cleaner not famous); TCPIP Holding Co., Inc. v. Haar

11

Commc’ns, Inc., 244 F.3d 88, 98 (2d Cir. 2001) (finding THE CHILDREN’S PLACE for retail stores

12

selling children’s clothing was not famous); Hasbro, Inc. v. Clue Computing, Inc., 66 F. Supp. 2d 117, 130-

13

32 (D. Mass. 1999), aff’d 232 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2000) (finding CLUE for board games was not famous

14

because it “is a common word that numerous third parties use”).

15

2.

Compare Network Automation, 2009 WL 5908719 (finding NETWORK

There Is No Likelihood Of Dilution By Blurring.

16

Dilution by blurring occurs when consumers form new and different associations with a famous mark.

17

15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(2)(B). This Court need go no further than the case on which Apple relies, Visa

18

International—where defendant conceded VISA was famous—to conclude that Apple’s claim must fail.

19

Visa International, which decided that eVisa, an internet multilingual education and information business,

20

was likely to dilute the VISA mark, explained that “dilution always involves use of a mark by a defendant

21

that is ‘different’ from the plaintiff’s use; the injury addressed by anti-dilution law in fact occurs when marks

22

are placed in new and different contexts, thereby weakening the mark’s ability to bring to mind the

23

plaintiff’s goods or services.” 610 F.3d at 1092. Here, both Apple and Amazon are using “app store” to

24

refer to their respective stores that sell apps, and Apple has failed to demonstrate that Amazon Appstore for

25

Android is in any way eroding its ability to clearly identify Apple’s App Store.

26

The specific factors used to analyze blurring also weigh in Amazon’s favor:

27

(i) the degree of similarity between the mark or trade name and the famous mark; (ii) the
degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness of the famous mark; (iii) the extent to which the
owner of the famous mark is engaging in substantially exclusive use of the mark; (iv) the

28

DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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1
2

degree of recognition of the famous mark; (v) whether the user of the mark or trade name
intended to create an association with the famous mark; (vi) any actual association between
the mark or trade name and the famous mark. 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(2)(B)

3

With respect to the first two factors, “app store” is generic so the similarity of the terms is irrelevant.

4

Apple’s argument in this regard is akin to a claim that there is dilution by blurring because Strand Bookstore

5

and Kepler’s Books both use “Book” in their names. Third, many retailers use “app store” to refer to their

6

stores and there are thousands of active registered domain names containing “app store.” Part A(3), supra.

7

The fact that there is not even more use of “app store” may be less a recognition that Apple owns the mark

8

and more a result of an unwillingness or inability to engage in expensive litigation with Apple. Fourth,

9

while Apple claims that its App Store enjoys widespread recognition, it fails to present any survey or expert

10

opinion regarding the extent of actual recognition of the mark and instead relies on a linguistic analysis of

11

the term “app store”. Mot. at 20. Fifth, without factual support, Apple claims that Amazon intended to

12

create association with Apple’s mark. Id. at 20-21. Apple confuses Amazon’s position that Apple has no

13

ownership rights in “app store” with improper free-riding. Sixth, Apple concedes it has no evidence of

14

actual association between Apple’s App Store and Amazon Appstore for Android. Id. at 21. It instead relies

15

on two semi-anonymous posts from “Frugalista” and “G155.” Fisher Decl. ¶28 & Ex. 12. The Ninth

16

Circuit has rejected this type of evidence as unreliable. Sony Computer Entertainment, 203 F.3d at 609.

17

3.

There Is No Likelihood Of Dilution By Tarnishment.

18

“So long as the defendant’s use does not place plaintiff’s trademark in a degrading or disparaging

19

context, tarnishment will probably not be found.” McCarthy §24.89 at 24-239. Accordingly, tarnishment

20

typically applies only when plaintiff’s mark has been linked with “something unsavory or degrading.” Toho

21

Co., Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 645 F.2d 788, 793 (9th Cir. 1981) (use of BAGZILLA on strong garbage

22

bags did not dilute GODZILLA); see also Ty Inc. v. Perryman, 306 F.3d 509 (7th Cir. 2002) (using

23

hypothetical of TIFFANY being used to brand a strip joint); Toys “R” Us, Inc. v. Akkaoui, No. C 96-3381

24

CW, 1996 WL 772709 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 1996) (TOYS R US tarnished by ADULTS R US for Internet

25

site for the sale of adult sexual products). There is nothing unsavory or degrading about Amazon Appstore

26

for Android.

27

Apple’s theory that Amazon Appstore for Android is inferior to Apple’s App Store is legally and

28

factually incorrect. The Ninth Circuit rebuffed a substantially similar argument in Sony Computer Entm’t,
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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1

Inc. v. Connectix Corp.; namely, that tarnishment resulted because Connectix’s Virtual Game Station did not

2

play PlayStation games as well as Sony’s PlayStation console. 203 F.3d 596, 608-09 (9th Cir. 2000). In

3

reversing the district court’s finding of misattribution, the Ninth Circuit explained that it was not persuaded

4

“that the difference in quality between the two platforms is itself sufficient to find tarnishment.” Id. at 609.

5

Moreover, Apple’s factual assertions regarding the alleged inferiority of Google’s competing Android

6

operating system (Mot. at 21-23) are incorrect. See Declaration of Ameesh Paleja ¶¶6-7. There is nothing

7

“cheap or shoddy” (Mot. at 22) about Android or Amazon Appstore for Android. No tarnishment is

8

possible.

9
10

4.

Amazon’s Use Of “App Store” In “Amazon Appstore For Android” Is A Fair
Use.

11

Even assuming arguendo that “app store” is famous—and it is not—Amazon’s use of the term in

12

Amazon Appstore for Android constitutes fair use and is not actionable. Where a defendant uses a term for

13

its common meaning, as Amazon does here, there can be no liability. See 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(3)(A)

14

(allowing “[a]ny fair use, including a nominative or descriptive fair use, or facilitation of such fair use, of a

15

famous mark by another person other than as a designation of source”). Amazon does not use the term “app

16

store” as a trademark. Instead, Amazon Appstore for Android tells the consumer three things: whose

17

service it is (Amazon’s), what the service is (an app store), and what type of apps are offered (for Android).

18

Visa International is illustrative:

19

23

Visa does not claim that it could enforce its Visa trademark to prevent JSL from opening
‘Orr’s Visa Services,’ any more than Apple could shut down Orr’s Apple Orchard or Camel
could fold up Orr’s Camel Breeders. Visa doesn’t own the word ‘visa’ and may not ‘deplete
the stock of useful words’ by asserting otherwise. Conferring anti-dilution rights to common
English words would otherwise be untenable, as whole swaths of the dictionary could be
taken out of circulation. Nor would a suit against Orr’s Visa Services advance the purpose of
anti-dilution law. Such use of the word would not create a new association for the word with a
product; it would merely evoke the word’s existing dictionary meaning, as to which no one
may claim exclusivity. (Id. at 1091)

24

Unlike the generic use of “app store”, eVisa was not using “visa” for its literal definition but to

25

identify a “multilingual education and information business.” 610 F.3d at 1092. The Ninth Circuit took care

26

to note that it “would be a different case” if “visa” was being used for its common English definition. Id.

20
21
22

27
28
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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1

III. APPLE HAS FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT WOULD BE IRREPARABLY
HARMED WITHOUT A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.

2
3

Apple also fails in its burden to show that it would be irreparably harmed without a preliminary

4

injunction. Apple made the deliberate decision to market its app store under the generic name “App Store.”

5

See Advertise.com, Inc. v. AOL Adver., Inc., 616 F.3d 974, 980 n.6 (9th Cir. 2010) (in response to AOL’s

6

argument that refusing to protect the generic mark ADVERTISING.COM would result in “parasite” marks

7

diverting business from AOL, stating that “this is the peril of attempting to build a brand around a generic

8

term”); Microsoft, 64 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) at 1410 (noting when considering the balance of harms that

9

Microsoft’s “risky decision to name its product after a term commonly used in the trade to indicate the

10

windowing capability of a GUI” weighed against a finding that it would be harmed by a competitor’s use of

11

the term).

12

IV.

A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WILL IRREPARABLY HARM AMAZON.

13

The preliminary injunction sought by Apple would irreparably harm Amazon. It would force

14

Amazon to shut down Amazon Appstore for Android while it arranges for a new designation. It would

15

prevent Amazon from calling its app store what it is—an app store. It would harm consumer confidence in

16

Amazon’s good and services. See Rubenson Decl. ¶¶8-10.

17

Moreover, despite the very substantial bond that should be required if a preliminary injunction were to

18

issue (see Rubenson Decl. ¶10), a preliminary injunction forcing Amazon to change the name of Amazon

19

Appstore for Android would be difficult to monetize once Amazon prevails after a full trial on the merits.

20

Moreover, any reversal of a preliminary injunction after Amazon prevails at trial would be too late because it

21

would be economically damaging and confusing to Amazon’s partners and customers to switch back to the

22

original name. See, e.g., Genovese Drug Stores, Inc. v. TGC Stores, Inc., 939 F. Supp. 340, 350-51 (D.N.J.

23

1996) (where defendant recently adopted a brand, a preliminary injunction would “call into question the

24

stability and integrity of defendant’s store”; recognizing that the balance of harms favored defendant because

25

“if defendant were forced to preliminarily change its name and then succeed in this lawsuit, it would be

26

economically unsound and, most likely, financially unfeasible for defendant to return to its original name”);

27

Rubenson Decl. ¶¶9-10.

28
DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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V.

PUBLIC INTEREST WEIGHS AGAINST A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.

2

Public interest weighs against granting an injunction giving Apple a monopoly on commercial use of a

3

generic term. Entrepreneur Media, Inc. v. Smith, 279 F.3d 1135, 1148 (9th Cir. 2002) (“While the public

4

and the trademark owner have an interest in preventing consumer confusion, there is also a broad societal

5

interest in preserving common, useful words for the public domain. We do not want to prevent the

6

commercial use of descriptive words to name products, as straightforward names are often the most useful

7

identifiers”). Allowing such an illegitimate monopoly would be contrary to public interest. Kellogg Co. v.

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Nat’l Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. 111, 122 (1938) (“Sharing in the goodwill of an article unprotected by . . . trade-

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mark is the exercise of a right possessed by all—and in the free exercise of which the consuming public is

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deeply interested”).

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CONCLUSION
For the above reasons, Apple’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction must be denied.
DATED: June 1, 2011.

Respectfully,
MARTIN R. GLICK
CLARA J. SHIN
SARAH J. GIVAN
HOWARD RICE NEMEROVSKI CANADY
FALK & RABKIN
A Professional Corporation

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By:
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/s/ Martin R. Glick
MARTIN R. GLICK

Attorneys for Defendants AMAZON.COM, INC. and
AMAZON DIGITAL SERVICES, INC.

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DEFS’ OPP. TO PLAINTIFF’S MOT. FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

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11-cv-01327 PJH