Apple is making a preposterous claim to the trademark office that they invented the app store concept and name, asking a Judge to stop Amazon from using the words 'app store.' I want to set the record straight: Apple neither invented the concept nor the term.
I know because I built one. It was a service called 'Click-N-Run' (CNR) made by a company I founded called Linspire. With CNR a single mouse click would download and install software so it was ready to run. Before Apple launched their store, more than 9 million applications had been installed using CNR from a library of more than 45,000 titles.
When I built Linspire, Microsoft tried to claim they invented 'Windows' and prevented anyone from using it. Apparently Apple has stolen Microsoft's playbook. Please Apple, just compete in the marketplace by making great products for a great price.
--MR
