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

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

Apple Cinemas
"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.

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Top Rated Comments

MacUserFella Avatar
9 weeks ago
Who’s next, Applebees?

Edit: it’s a joke, it’s a god damn joke, turn off your brain and laugh
Score: 88 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr McKay Avatar
9 weeks ago

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.
Score: 63 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kagharaht Avatar
9 weeks ago
If Apple didn't get into Film Making, Distribution, Sales...it wouldn't be a problem...but now...
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Astuces iOS Avatar
9 weeks ago
They will sue Apple trees too !!
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
555gallardo Avatar
9 weeks ago
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”.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JMStearnsX2 Avatar
9 weeks ago
"Widespread public confusion"? Apple's lawyers are full of it...
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)