By Raju Shekhar
We all know that Microsoft is engaged in a serious battle with Apple over the issue of trademark and the software giant has now brought out a new weapon in its fight - typography. Microsoft is trying hard to prevent Apple from trademarking the term 'App Store' and the company has claimed that the font used by the Cupertino-based firm in its response to Microsoft’s opposition is too small. Microsoft said that it is too long as well.
"Apple's response brief is 31 pages, including the table of contents and table of authorities, and on information and belief is printed in less than 11 point font," reads the motion to strike. "Under the rules, Apple's brief cannot exceed 25 pages in its entirety, including the table of contents and table of authorities, and must be printed in at least 11 point font," it added.
Apple applied to trademark the term 'App Store' in 2008, shortly after the launch of the store. Microsoft has been opposing the move arguing that 'app' and 'store' are common English words and if the combination gets trademarked it would be overly generic. On its part, Apple is making all effort to convince the Patent and Trademark Office that the term is closely associated with Apple in the public mind. Taking a potshot at Microsoft, Apple said that 'Windows' is also a similarly ordinary word. The PTO has suspended the legal process, which could have given Apple a chance for a little editing. Microsoft is stressing to sort out the issue over the phone.
