Apple sues Amazon over term 'Appstore'

Apple Inc. is suing Amazon.com Inc. to stop the online retailer from using the name "Appstore," according to documents filed Friday with a California federal court.

Apple is asking the court to order Amazon to stop using "Appstore" to refer to the online store it launched on Tuesday.

Apple, which has applied to register a trademark to the term "App Store," is suing over what it says is trademark infringement and unfair competition.

"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," the lawsuit states.

Apple said that it had contacted Amazon three times to demand it stop using the name, according to the BBC.

Amazon's Appstore will distribute software for smartphones and tablet computers running Google's Android operating system. The Amazon Appstore includes free and paid apps from Android software developers.