Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name

[MacRumors]

In a federal court in Massachusetts on Friday, Apple sued a small movie theater chain named Apple Cinemas over alleged trademark infringement.

"Apple Cinemas is knowingly and intentionally using the name Apple to sow confusion for its own benefit," alleged attorneys for Apple, in a complaint filed against all Apple Cinemas locations, and a Sand Media Corp Inc. company connected to the chain.

Established in 2013, Apple Cinemas maintained a limited presence in the Northeastern U.S. until last month, when it opened a theater in San Francisco. The complaint alleges that Apple Cinemas is pursuing a nationwide expansion across the U.S., including in areas near Apple's headquarters and retail stores, leading Apple to take action.

"Faced with Defendants' plan to expand to 100 theaters nationwide, as well as widespread public confusion about Apple's involvement in the theaters, Apple has no alternative but to file this lawsuit to protect its brand and customers from deception," the complaint states.

Apple Cinemas currently has 14 locations, according to its website.

Apple's "repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably" were unsuccessful. The lawsuit alleges that the companies behind Apple Cinemas have received multiple warnings that the name would cause confusion among consumers, but carried on. The complaint includes examples of some people who believed that Apple Cinemas was owned by Apple, in the comment sections of various online news articles and social media posts.

The first warning came from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which in October 2024 denied Sand Media Corp Inc.'s trademark applications for the "Apple Cinemas" and "ACX — Apple Cinematic Experience" marks, given they were likely to cause confusion with Apple's prior trademark rights, according to the complaint.

Apple has very strong trademark rights in connection with a wide range of goods and services, including movie distribution, its attorneys said.

The second warning came in December 2024, when Apple sent Sand Media Corps Inc. a cease and desist letter directly, according to the complaint. Apple's attorneys also communicated with the company by phone and in writing several times, but it knowingly pushed forward with its Apple Cinemas expansion plans, the complaint adds.

As for how the Apple Cinemas name came to be? According to the complaint, the founders of the chain claim they adopted the name due to a planned first location at the Apple Valley Mall in Rhode Island, but they never opened a location there.

Apple is seeking both an injunction and monetary damages.

Article Link: Apple Sues Movie Theater Chain With Similar 'Apple Cinemas' Name

 

[MacUserFella]

Another lawsuit? The EU needs to humble Apple again

 

[MacUserFella]

Who’s next, Applebees?

Edit: it’s a joke, it’s a god damn joke, turn off your brain and laugh

 

[JMStearnsX2]

"Widespread public confusion"? Apple's lawyers are full of it...

 

[Naraxus]

This is a nothingburger. Apple's simply protecting its name. In a few months this will all go away with an undisclosed settlement.

 

[dubiousgif]

Who’s next, Applebees?

As well as:

 

[Astuces iOS]

They will sue Apple trees too !!

 

[555gallardo]

Next up, Apple sues Mother Nature for creating apples. Also starts it’s own Holy Crusade as Vatican mentions apples numerous time in their book “The Bible”.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

This is a nothingburger. Apple's simply protecting its name. In a few months this will all go away with an undisclosed settlement.

The settlement should be Apple, Inc., paying Apple Cinemas for their legal costs! It's absolutely ridiculous that the word "Apple" can't be used in any product that would in a 1-in-a-million chance confuse someone thinking the product actually came from Apple, Inc.

 

[Biro]

Remember that there were a number of legal disputes between Apple Corps (owned by the Beatles) and Apple Computer over use of the name "Apple" and their respective logos. Apple Inc. paid Apple Corps. over three settlements: $80,000 in 1978, $26.5 million in 1991, and $500 million in 2007, when Apple Inc. acquired all the trademarks related to "Apple".

 

[kagharaht]

If Apple didn't get into Film Making, Distribution, Sales...it wouldn't be a problem...but now...

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Boy, those Pink Lady Apple's will be quaking in their stems...

 

[scrapesleon]

can someone remind me when apple started making movies and when exactly did Apple Cinemas small business was founded

 

[SoldOnApple]

An Apple film did win the best Oscar recently with Coda, so it's not like Apple isn't in the theatrical film space.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I'm surprised the apple fruit companies haven't sued Apple for the same reasons.

I kid but reading that the theaters have been in use since 2013 and apple is getting around to it now seems laughable to me.

I reread the article and it's the theaters expanding that is the issue. Well Apples are sold and grown all over the country too. So what if they expand.

 

[Etc_]

Remember when Apple sued a Swiss farming organization because their logo, which was already more than a decade old at that time, is an apple? Source.

 

[derekamoss]

Next up, Apple sues Mother Nature for creating apples. Also starts it’s own Holy Crusade as Vatican mentions apples numerous time in their book “The Bible”.

It actually never says apple in the Bible. Just fruit.

 

[NoCleverSNForMe]

"Widespread public confusion"? Apple's lawyers are full of it...

Wait, so you're with Apple Cinemas here?

Apple has a film/studio arm. If F1 played at this theater, you'd be watching an Apple Studios film at an Apple Cinemas. Don't you think the average consumer wouldn't be able to figure out that they're two different companies?

 

[trusso]

I understand the legal reasons for attempting to defend trademarks, but this is still just incredibly petty.

Maybe we can get Paul and Ringo on the phone, see if they want the Apple name back?

 

[ApAx]

I can only imagine the quaking horror felt in Cupertino whenever a Fiona Apple song is played on on someone's iPhone. The mass confusion this must cause! Do those dear listeners even realize that their beloved 90s singing sensation is in no way related to the world's biggest mega corporation!? Swift legal action must be taken to remedy this travesty wrought upon our poor unfortunate victim tech company!

/s

 

[Macalway]

deleted do to ......

 

[gco212]

An Apple film did win the best Oscar recently with Coda, so it's not like Apple isn't in the theatrical film space.

Yeah, that 2021 film that was also set in the Northeastern United States, where Apple Cinemas were already operating. Seems like Apple Cinemas should have sued them back then. /s

 

[eggtarts]

Apple should have just done a deal to either buyout the company or deal to buy out the name then this lawsuit.

 

[Dr McKay]

Wait, so you're with Apple Cinemas here?

Apple has a film/studio arm. If F1 played at this theater, you'd be watching an Apple Studios film at an Apple Cinemas. Don't you think the average consumer wouldn't be able to figure out that they're two different companies?

Apple Cinemas was founded in 2013, Apple Studios was founded in 2019. Apple Inc didn’t start producing Apple Original Series content until 2016, nor Apple Original Films content until 2019. As Apple Cinemas is a functioning business who actually offer a service/product, yes I am in favour of them since they picked the name Apple first in the TV/Movie industry.

The only way I’d be supportive of Apple Studios in this is if Apple Cinemas was a copyright/patent troll with no footprint anywhere.

 

[Plutonius]

They should probably start suing some orchards .