Apple's app store appeal rejected

The Federal Court has rejected an appeal by Apple to trademark the term "app store".

Apple can still use the term in Australia, but the decision means its rivals can continue to use it.

The Registrar of Trade Marks first refused Apple's trademark application in March 2013.

The Federal Court upheld that decision on Wednesday.

Justice David Yates found the terms "app" and "store" had each been in common use before Apple's app store came along in 2008.

He held that the term was therefore too broadly descriptive to be trademarked, saying Apple had not given the term new meaning.

Apple declined to comment.