No, you can’t trademark an iPhone app – you’re likely looking for a patent or copyright. However, you can trademark the name and logo for your iPhone app.
Although you cannot register a trademark for an iPhone app as a product, you can in fact trademark the name of the app. For example, “ANGRY BIRDS” is a registered trademark for video games for mobile devices. It is possible for you to trademark the characters in an app or game if you use the character as a mascot or as part of the logo. Trademarking the name and logo of an app will prevent any market competitors from using similar branding features to identify their apps, and this will allow you to shore up your position within a market.
A trademark will not protect the specific functionality of a particular app. If you wish to prevent a competitor from producing an application that functions in a similar way, it may be possible to attain a patent for the app. A patent may protect the the function and design of a particular program from replication.
If you are looking to protect an iPhone App, contact us for assistance with with registering your trademark.
