Apple granted U.S. trademark for its retail store design

Apple’s retail store design has been granted a trademark from the U.S. government, giving the company some protection from copycat retailers.

The Cupertino, Calif., company’s “clear glass storefront” design, complete with “large, rectangular horizontal panels over the top of the glass front,” received trademark status last week from the U.S Patent and Trademark office.

The trademark covers the store’s interior furniture and fixtures as well, including the floors, lighting and shelves. It also covers the store’s “Genius Bar,” where customers go for technical support.

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“There is multi-tiered shelving along the side walls, and a oblong table with stools located at the back of the store, set below video screens flush mounted on the back wall,” the trademark description reads.

Apple originally applied for the trademark in 2010 but was rejected twice before finally being approved, according to ifoAppleStore.com, an Apple Store news site.

The company opened its first store in 2001, and they remained unrivaled for many years until Microsoft and Sony began opening similar stores of their own.

In 2011, Apple’s signature design was blatantly copied by numerous fake Apple stores in China. Some stores were shut down and others ordered to take down fake Apple logos after a blogger wrote about them.

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