Latest news with #AppleCorps
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple's cinema lawsuit might seem ironic, but it was inevitable
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Apple vs Apple was one of the most epic trademark battles in history. The Beatles' record label Apple Corps sued Apple Computer (now Apple Inc) in a series of legal disputes over almost three decades until the latter finally paid $500 million to settle and acquire Apple Corps' trademarks, allowing it to use the name and logo for music distribution via iTunes. Given that history, it's not surprising that a lot of people are commenting on the apparent irony of the situation now that Apple Inc is suing Apple Cinemas. Apple (the tech company) says the cinema chain "knowingly and intentionally using the name Apple to sow confusion". But the tech giant doesn't operate any cinemas and only started making films relatively recently. So is it all Apple and oranges? Owned by Sand Media Corp Inc, Apple Cinemas was founded in 2013 and now has 14 venues. With a logo that features an apple formed by a ream of film, the chain was limited to the Northeastern US, but it's recently opened a cinema in San Francisco under 50 miles from Apple's Cupertino headquarters. It now plans a major nationwide expansion, which seems to be what's sparked Apple to take action. The Cupertino Apple says in its complaint: "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. The lawsuit cites cases in which people believed Apple Cinemas was owned by Apple Inc, illustrated by comments from online news reports and social media posts. It also says that the iPad-making Apple sent Sand Media a cease-and-desist letter in December 2024, but that the owner of the cinema chain continued with its expansion plans. It's now seeking an injunction and monetary damages. Apparently, Apple Cinemas' name dates back to an aborted plan to open its first location at the Apple Valley Mall in Rhode Island. It never actually opened there, but it kept the name when it opened its first cinema in Massachusetts in 2013. That was over five years before Cupertino's Apple founded Apple Studios and started making Apple Original Films, although Apple did previously sell the flat-panel monitor Apple Cinema Display between 1999 and 2011. It seems that Sand Media had its application to trademark the names "Apple Cinemas" and "ACX — Apple Cinematic Experience" rejected by the US Patent and Trademark Office last year. Could Apple Cinemas really confuse people? The case is likely to bring up once more the so-called 'moron in a hurry' test, which Apple itself tried to use as a defence against Apple Corps back in 2006, when it argued that even a moron in a hurry could not be mistaken about the difference between iTunes and the Apple Corps record label. The court will have to consider how similar the brand's logos are in terms of look and feel, and any direct evidence customers have confused the brands. While some people criticise Apple for bullying a smaller business, it's worth remembering that companies have to protect their brands or lose them, and Apple is one of the most valuable brands in the world. Trademark lawsuits aren't only about the money – they're often the only way that a company can test whether a legal infringement exists in order to shape the legal definition of its brand. Grab the popcorn because the outcome of the case won't just define the fate of Apple Cinemas but also the potential scope and value of the Apple brand. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is Paul McCartney Announcing a Tour? Signs Point to Yes
It appears that Paul McCartney is plotting something this year, and signs point to a potential tour. The musician took to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, posting an intriguing photo of two guitar picks that read 'Paul McCartney' and 'Got Back in 2025.' The post also included a link that leads to a sign-up page. Notably, one pick is white, the other is blue, and his name is in red, hinting that it may be plotting a tour of the U.S. this year. A rep for McCartney did not immediately return Rolling Stone's request for comment. More from Rolling Stone The Beatles' Apple Corps Announces Its New CEO The World's Hardest Beatles 'Abbey Road' Quiz Beyoncé Thanks Paul McCartney for 'Writing One of the Best Songs Ever Made' Once fans click on the link, it takes them to a page that says 'Sign up to receive information on tour dates, pre-sales and much more…' McCartney's reference to 'Got Back' likely refers to his last U.S. tour of the same name, which opened in April 2022 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, and hit several U.S. cities through June 2022 before it went worldwide, concluding in December 2024 in London. It is also ostensibly a reference to the Beatles' 1969 Number One track 'Get Back,' which the band recorded with Billy Preston. The album version of the song features dialogue from the end of their famous rooftop concert at Apple Corps in London, another hint pointing to McCartney's IG post being performance-related. There is also, of course, the song's lyrics, which reference the U.S. locales of 'Tuscon, Arizona' and 'California grass' and the 'Get Back' chorus, and it's likely McCartney will get back to the U.S. for some shows soon. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beatles' Apple Corps Names Tom Greene As New CEO
Apple Corps, the Beatles' media corporation, has named Tom Greene as its new CEO, the announced Tuesday morning. Greene is best-known for his work with the Harry Potter franchise, where he worked first as an executive both at Pottermore Publishing, then as the CFO and later general manager at Wizarding World Digital, the joint venture between Warner Media and Pottermore. Greene is currently the chief operating officer of esports programming company Blast, and he is still on the board at Pottermore. More from The Hollywood Reporter BoyNextDoor on 'No Genre' and Gearing Up for Lollapalooza: "We're Really Giving it Our All" Universal Music Group, UCLA Launch Berry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship 'Every Time You Lose Your Mind': '90s Alt-Rockers Failure Talk Their Long-Awaited Documentary and Rewriting Their "Tumultuous" Legacy 'We are thrilled to welcome Tom Greene as CEO,' Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Sean Ono Lennon said in a joint statement. 'We have a lot of exciting plans and Tom's experience and vision make him the perfect person to join us in making it all happen.' Greene's appointment comes months after previous CEO Jeff Jones, who served as Apple Corps' top executive for 17 years, stepped down from his post last October, per Billboard. The Beatles had first established Apple Corps back in 1968, and Greene will serve as the third CEO in the company's history, per the company. Apple Corps remains active in overseeing the Fab Four's musical legacy, giving the signoff for Sam Mendes' biopics on all four of the Beatles. Those films will star Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and they're expected to release in 2028. 'It is a huge honour to lead Apple Corps into this new phase of its history,' Greene said in a statement. 'Like so many people around the world, I grew up in a household obsessed with The Beatles and their music. At a time when the world might need more of The Beatles' spirit, there are so many new and innovative ways to bring their unique magic to all generations of fans. I cannot wait to get started.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Beatles' Apple Corps Names Tom Greene CEO
Apple Corps Ltd., the operating company that oversees creative and business interests of The Beatles, has tapped British executive Tom Greene as CEO, effective September 25. He will be only the third CEO in the history of the storied company launched in 1968 to manage The Beatles' intellectual property canon, administering the legendary band's recorded music catalog along with film, theatrical and book publishing rights and piloting award-winning projects over the years. The firm is currently collaborating on one of the most ambitious Beatles venture yet with Sony Pictures Entertainment and filmmaker Sam Mendes — four separate theatrical films, one on each of the member of the band. It's the first time Apple Corps and The Beatles – Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison – have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. More from Deadline Sony Unleashes Extended Footage Of '28 Years Later', Screens Scenes From Darren Aronofsky's Austin Butler-Starrer 'Caught Stealing' - CineEurope Breaking Baz @ Cannes: Harris Dickinson Shows Off John Lennon Mop Hairstyle At 'Eddington' Afterparty & Benicio Del Toro Reveals Why Robert De Niro Cut His Lines On Tony Scott's 'The Fan' Harris Dickinson On The Inspiration For Cannes Directing Debut 'Urchin' And Why Upcoming John Lennon Role Is His "Every Day Right Now" Greene previously ran Pottermore Publishing and Wizarding World Digital, a JV between Warner Bros and Pottermore, expanding the Harry Potter Fan Club to over 50 million members. He's currently COO of Blast, which works with big video game developers and publishers to grow their esports programs from offices in London, Copenhagen, Berlin, New York and Mumbai. He is on the board of Pottermore and will remain on the Blast board. He replaces Jeff Jones, who announced plans to step down as Apple Corps CEO last fall after 17 years in the role. 'We are thrilled to welcome Tom Greene as CEO. We have a lot of exciting plans and Tom's experience and vision make him the perfect person to join us in making it all happen,' said Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Sean Ono Lennon in a statement. Said Greene: 'It is a huge honour to lead Apple Corps into this new phase of its history. Like so many people around the world, I grew up in a household obsessed with The Beatles and their music. At a time when the world might need more of The Beatles' spirit, there are so many new and innovative ways to bring their unique magic to all generations of fans. I cannot wait to get started.' Apple Corps' music initiatives include acclaimed Special Edition releases for several Beatles albums, including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles ('White Album'), Abbey Road, Let It Be, and Revolver. The Beatles' 2023 international hit single 'Now And Then' reached Number One in the UK singles charts and garnered the band's latest Grammy win and a BRIT Award nomination. In film and documentary, Peter Jackson's 2021 Get Back redefined modern music documentary and longform storytelling, sweeping the Emmys' documentary categories with five awards. Last year, Apple Corps and Disney+ released David Tedeschi and Martin Scorsese's new Beatles '64 documentary and a lovingly restored version of Michael Lindsay-Hogg's Let It Be. Sony's four-film Beatles cinematic event is set for release in April of 2028 through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mendes' Neal Street Productions. At an appearance at CinemaCon in March, Sony Motion Pictures boss Tom Rothman and Mendes called the biopic cycle 'the first 'bingeable moment in cinema.' Written by Jez Butterworth, Jack Thorne and Peter Straughan, the films stars Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney) and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison). The Beatles – Washington DC – Coliseum – Apple Corps Ltd Best of Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg Everything We Know About 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Barry Keoghan Recalls Ringo Starr 'Asked Me To Play' Drums For Him Ahead Of Beatles Biopic
Barry Keoghan is learning to follow the beat of his own drum as he prepares to portray Ringo Starr. The Oscar nominee recently confirmed he's been brushing up his percussion skills as he detailed his meeting with the Beatles drummer after being cast to play Starr in the upcoming four-part biopic about the legendary British rock band from director Sam Mendes. More from Deadline Barry Keoghan To Play Ringo Starr In Sam Mendes' Beatles Movies, Drummer Says Sam Mendes, Sony & Apple Corps Set Four Beatles Theatrical Movies On Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison & Ringo Starr Jack Thorne, Jez Butterworth And Peter Straughan To Pen 'The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event' For Sam Mendes And Sony 'I met him at his house and he played the drums for me,' revealed Keoghan on Jimmy Kimmel Live. 'He asked me to play, but I wasn't playing the drums for Ringo.' Following the news of his casting in November, Keoghan said it was Starr who 'let the news out. He was like, 'Barry is somewhere doing drums. I think he should stop and not do anymore.' But he leaked the news.' Although the drummer was 'absolutely lovely,' Keoghan explained the meeting 'was one of those moments where you're just in awe and just froze.' He wanted to study Starr but found it difficult looking him in the eye. 'When I was talking to him, I couldn't look at him,' recalled Keoghan. 'I was nervous. But he's like, 'You can look at me.' And again, you're playing Ringo Starr. My job is to observe and take in the mannerisms and study.' The Irish actor said he wants 'to humanize and bring feelings to it and not just sort of imitate' Starr. Last February, Deadline exclusively revealed that Mendes is set to direct each installment of The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event, through his Neal Street Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Each film will connect, telling the band's story from each member's point of view. In addition to Keoghan, the cast is rounded out by Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Celine Song's 'Materialists' So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
