There's a TM on "There's an app for that"

posted by Alan F. / Oct 12, 2010, 10:27 AM

Back on December 4th 2009, Apple handed in an application to get a trademark for the phrase, "There's an app for that". Apple used the tagline on numerous ads for the iPhone and App Store, and it quickly became a popular punchline for jokes, a tech version of Wendy's "Where's the beef?". The good news for the tech giant is that Apple has been granted a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

From coffee mugs to t-shirts the words have appeared, giving Apple's App Store and the Apple iPhone the kind of free publicity from being a pop culture phrase that would normally cost the Cupertino based company hundreds of millions of dollars in ad time. The trademark covers "Retail store services featuring computer software provided via the Internet and other computer and electronic communication networks; retail store services featuring computer software for use on handheld mobile digital electronic devices and other consumer electronics."

So the next time you feel like saying, "There's an app for that," you had better clear it with your attorney first to make sure that you are not infringing on Apple's trademark. After all, when it comes to protecting its patents and trademarks, the company has a legal team for that.

source: TUAW

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10 Comments

1. jskrenes

Posts: 209; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Your iPhone will now record your conversations and direct bill your account if it hears you say that which cannot be said.

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:49 AM 0

2. LadyAble unregistered

LMAO!

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 10:59 AM 0

3. brikz4real

Posts: 173; Member since: Dec 24, 2008

"There's an app for .........." hmmm, dare I say it? Or will Apple send another bunch of goons to bash in MY door like they did that poor guy who got a hold of that so-called "misplaced" iPhone 4? While you're at it Apple, here's another slogan: "There's crap for that", in reference to your network. Try fixing THAT before you go placing trademarks on everything.

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 11:47 AM 0

4. Jake15

Posts: 15; Member since: Nov 18, 2009

Too bad it is not apples network, you can blame ATT for that

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 11:53 AM 0

5. XxVerbalxX unregistered

so now i have to say "there is an application for that" or "there is an app that does that". no biggie im going to trademark the word "the". think of the $$$ i will rake in!