Apple sues Apple Cinemas

Apple is suing the Apple Cinemas chain for trademark infringement, claiming that the name is confusing with the American technology giant's long-standing brand and reputation.

Sand Media Corp has been sued by Apple for confusingly naming its movie theater chain. Photo: WJAR .

Apple has just filed a lawsuit against Sand Media Corp, the company that owns the Apple Cinemas movie theater chain, in federal court in Boston (USA), accusing this business of trademark infringement and causing brand confusion.

According to Reuters , Apple claims that Apple Cinemas is “leveraging the reputation and brand value” of the technology company to expand its business nationwide, despite many previous reconciliation efforts from the technology company. “Consumers should not be mistaken in thinking that Apple Cinemas is associated with the Apple brand, a global technology icon,” the lawsuit states.

Apple Cinemas, based in Walpole, Massachusetts, has been operating primarily in New England since 2013. However, it recently opened a location in the San Francisco Bay Area, about 50 miles from Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, and plans to open a new theater in California.

The lawsuit says Apple Cinemas is aiming to develop 100 theaters across the United States, with the ambition of becoming one of the largest movie theater chains in North America within the next decade.

The iPhone maker said that using the name “Apple Cinemas” not only confuses consumers but also directly affects the brand value that has been built up over decades. The company included in its filing several screenshots from social media in which users questioned whether the theater chain was part of Apple Inc.

Some media outlets reporting on Apple Cinemas' new theaters have had to clarify that there is no connection between the two parties.

Apple also accused Sand Media of using the “Apple” name to negotiate favorable terms with property owners, leveraging the reputation of Apple Stores, which are often considered “anchor tenants” in shopping malls, to position Apple Cinemas as a potential alternative partner.

The lawsuit alleges that Apple Cinemas continued to use the name despite receiving warning letters from Apple and having its trademark application rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The tech giant is asking the court to ban Apple Cinemas from using the word “Apple” in its name, and is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. The theater chain’s parent company has not yet made an official comment.

Source: https://znews.vn/apple-kien-chuoi-rap-chieu-phim-post1574585.html