In a blow to Apple, Australia's Federal Court has rejected an appeal by the technology giant to trademark the term "app store".

The Registrar of Trade Marks refused registration of Apple's "app store" trademark in March last year because it was too descriptive. Apple then appealed this decision in the Federal Court.

Apple's bid to trademark the term "app store" in Australia has failed. Credit:Apple

Not surprisingly, Microsoft also objected to Apple owning the trademark.

On Wednesday, Justice David Yates ruled that Apple's appeal be dismissed and that it pay the court costs of the Registrar of Trade Marks.