I never liked this made-up word…app. Not sure why. As an investor in digital technology, I found the word a little too snappy for all the robust digital tools we could have on our devices. So just when dictionary.com added it as a defined word, we find out the word does not belong to us.
In fact, Apple is suing Amazon over the use of “App Store.” And Microsoft is also opposing the registration of “App” and “App store” by Apple. Microsoft says the word is generic. Apple is contending it owns the word, like Kimberly-Clark tells us that Kleenex is theirs…”say facial tissue.”
Evidently, Apple is not the only one that feels we don’t own simple, frequently used words. Facebook is already trying to trademark the words ”face,” “book,” “like,” “wall” and “poke.”
Grammarians are watching the evolution of language in the tech industry while it falls to the judges to interpret copyright law.
So now is my chance to get rid of this word…App. I mean, I don’t want Apple upset with me.
