The problem is that Apple started movie business after year 2013. They can’t own the whole world they head to.Are you a youngster who doesn't know the history?
In 1981 Apple Corps (the Beatles company) sued Apple Computer over trademark infringement. Apple Computer paid Apple Corps around $80k for use of the name Apple. Apple Computer agreed to stay out of the music business. Apple Corp agreed to stay out of computers.
In 1991, after Apple Computer had added lots of AV capabilities to the Mac, it was accused by Apple Corps of violating their agreement. Apple Computer paid Apple Corps approx. $26 million to settle the dispute. Apple Computer was allowed to use the name Apple in digital audio, but not as a music publisher or distributor.
In 2003, Apple Corps sued Apple Computer over its launch of the iTunes Music Store. Apple Corps lost that suit because the court ruled that a music store wasn't a breach of their trademark agreement because it wasn't a record label.
In 2007, Apple Inc. paid Apple Corps tens of millions of dollars for all trademarks related to "Apple". They licensed certain trademarks back to Apple Corps to use in the music business.
Trademarks are serious stuff. The confusion between Apple products and Apple Cinemas is real. Apple is and has been operating in adjacent spaces. Apple TV hardware was streaming video for 6 years before Apple Cinema was created. Given that Apple also produces Apple TV apps, has a full-fledge Apple TV+ streaming service, and produces content through Apple Apple Studios LLC (which includes theatrical releases). Given that Apple Cinemas is now showing F1 The Movie, an Apple Studios film, in their theaters, the potential for confusion is huge.
There is no mention of an apple in the BibleNext 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”.
The fact that religion and god (him, her or its self) has been inserted into the conversation somehow is evidence to be that this thread has crossed a line.There is no mention of an apple in the Bible
But the movie theater was around before Apple did any of that. To me Apple Cinemas should be fine. The problem is fighting legal battles becomes costly. But if it was Scion on sense, Apple Inc would buy the brand and pay them a large sum to rebrand.If Apple didn't get into Film Making, Distribution, Sales...it wouldn't be a problem...but now...
Apple started streaming video to Apple TV devices in 2007. It is an adjacent business and therefore the potential for confusion is very high. Apple products prominently display the apple logo, which is immediately recognizable. The visual of using stylized Apple in the logo of Apple Cinema creates confusion based on appearance. The case is strong.The problem is that Apple started movie business after year 2013. They can’t own the whole world they head to.
The problem is that Apple started movie business after year 2013.
They can’t own the whole world they head to.
We are interested mostly in all things Apple and notice such things. There’ll be plenty of others who think we are dumb, no one know everything, so not helpful. Apple has many logo styles, not just the one on the back of our iPhones. See the new store and event logos. It’s not surprising many people will be confused. Here’s and example of logos from the vergeI know Apple is in the filmmaking business now, so I guess it's fair enough that they wouldn't want people to mistake this cinema chain for them. It seems kind of boneheaded to make such a mistake when you look at the logo, but there are plenty of people out there dumb enough to make that mistake.
I still think it's a little small fry for them, but maybe the idiots who named the cinema should've just gone with "Apple Valley Cinema" to be safe.
Never mind that Apple had to settle with Apple Corps over their name.
If "Apple Cinema" started before Apple Inc. got into content creation (e.g. movies and tv shows), does Apple Inc have a case against a movie theatre chain that no one will mistake for Apple Inc.?
Apple has been selling videos on iTunes Store since 2005, 8 years before Apple Cinema started. This is a more comparable business line than Apple Studios, as Apple Cinema is also a broadcaster rather than a maker of original content.To be comparable, Apple would have had to to be involved in the movie industry before Apple Cinemas, Apple Cinemas existed before Apple Studios, and before any Apple Originals came out.
This example now would be more like if Apple Inc sued Apple Records instead.
You don’t generally go after companies using generic item names in their branding in industries you aren’t involved in, and it’s pretty poor sport to go into an industry at a later date and then start legal action against a company that’s been in that industry longer than you have.
Who’s next, Applebees?
Edit: it’s a joke, it’s a god damn joke, turn off your brain and laugh
This is the only reason this lawsuit exists.If Apple didn't get into Film Making, Distribution, Sales...it wouldn't be a problem...but now...
This is exactly right.Apple is required to protect its trademark. These type of lawsuits happen everyday.
Open and shut case.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.
fair point!You also likely wouldn’t send your entire life savings to a Nigerian prince that just needs a little help expatriating his money, either. Unfortunately, there are millions that would.![]()
We are interested mostly in all things Apple and notice such things. There’ll be plenty of others who think we are dumb, no one know everything, so not helpful. Apple has many logo styles, not just the one on the back of our iPhones. See the new store and event logos. It’s not surprising many people will be confused. Here’s and example of logos from the verge
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Check out these custom logos Apple made for its October 30th event
The Apple logo has never looked this good.www.theverge.com
Or, I mean, there are 218,630 words in common english usage that are NOT “Apple”. While some of those are the names of other trademarked companies, I’m sure they could have found a unique one.Anyone today naming anything “Apple <whatever>” thinking that it’s safe and no one’s ever used it is looking for future trouble. When the trademark office says “No, you can’t trademark that name”, that’s also kind of a hint that maybe they shouldn’t be named that.