While Google seems intent on remaining in the cloud in terms of device sales, one thing has recently been made clear — should they decide to go the retail route with stores of their own, they should not have them looking like an Apple Store. The reasoning here, Apple has recently been granted an official US trademark (from the USPTO) for their retail stores.
Yes, the minimalist, clean looking Apple Stores are now trademarked. This filing goes back to May of 2010 and aside from seeing the date and realizing this has been an ongoing process, the language in the filing did not even include one of the currently available best selling Apple devices. That device is the tablet. The filing noted the stores as being a place to show: “retail store services featuring computers, computer software, computer peripherals.”
The listing went on to include these as being “mobile phones, consumer electronics, and related accessories, and demonstration of products relating thereto.” Tablets aside though, other notable portions of the filing included the store as having “a clear glass storefront surrounded by a panelled facade.” Moving to the interior, this portion of the filing described the store as having a series of “oblong table and stools [that are] set below video screens flush mounted on the back wall.”
Of course, those visiting an Apple Store now will realize that back wall is not always the same. In fact, often times that location is now the Genius Bar or sales counter. Instead of continuing to pick apart the Apple Store trademark filing though, let us ask the question — should Google decide to go the brick and mortar route, what do you think a Google retail store would look like?
[via SlashGear]
How can the PTO continue to get away with such frivolous, even incompetent behavior? Such poor judgement could only come from a government agency, and only one that accepts no responsibility for their actions. The PTO has become the most anti-competitive instrument in the history of the United States.
Let me guess. Apples next patent, sure to fly through the PTO, will cover any device that a human can interact with using hands and fingers.
The same can be said about the US Gov.The PTO is just following the ring leader.
This is a Democratic Republic. YOU are the government. The leaders you despise count on you not believing that.
America you must be joking!!
Honestly speaking (and I’m a die-hard Android fan), Apple Stores have always had a trademark style. No-one made a store like they had before, it is a very unique design. Not that I don’t dislike Apple business practices, but this seems reasonable to me (at least, more reasonable than other things they’ve been doing).
The Google shop would be pretty much empty because they don’t sell much hardware. It would be more like an internet cafe.
Why would you need a physical store in this day and age?
i sure as hell hope it doesn’t look like that crap. Personally I could give a rats ass as to what the store looks like. I suppose they make it look like that so the sheep can feel like its a luxurious store or something. Whatever, you can have your freaking store. And keep dropping your paychecks for yet another device that looks like the one you already have. By all means!
On a side note, yea me thinks PTO office is getting a “bonus” of some sort. The amount of ridiculousness that are Apple patents that are granted is insane. These people just don’t understand what they are doing is MUCH more than stamping a piece of paper. Anyone know if all their employee’s use iPhones?