More than two years ago, Apple launched a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the online retailer was violating Apple’s trademark by selling smartphone and tablet apps under via its Appstore, which sounds an awful lot like Apple’s App Store. Now, after years of bloodshed and families torn asunder by this nasty dispute, both sides have agreed to lay down their arms and agree to peace terms.

The case had been slated to go to trial on Aug. 19, but yesterday, the U.S. District Judge in the case ordered that it be dismissed at the companies’ request.

“We no longer see a need to pursue our case,” said an Apple rep to Reuters, presumably while wearing a black T-shirt and helping people at the Genius Bar. “With more than 900,000 apps and 50 billion downloads, customers know where they can purchase their favorite apps.”

Meanwhile, an Amazon rep took time out from toiling in the 110-degree warehouse to say, “This was a decision by Apple to unilaterally abandon the case, and leave Amazon free to use ‘appstore.'”

Apple began using the term App Store in 2008. In 2011, it sued Amazon for using Appstore for the section of its business dedicated to selling apps. Apple claimed this was trademark infringement; Amazon said that would be like suing a liquor store for using the phrase “liquor store” in its name.

In July 2011, the court gave permission for Amazon to continue using the name while the case was still pending.

In its defense, Amazon often pointed to the words of Apple execs like Steve Jobs, who had previously used the “app store” phrase to refer not to Apple’s specific store, but to the general app-selling industry.

Apple, Amazon end ‘app store’ lawsuit [Reuters via techspot]

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