Latest news with #SandMedia
The Verge
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Apple Cinemas responds to Apple lawsuit
Apple Cinemas, a theater chain not affiliated with Apple, has responded to Apple's recent lawsuit over alleged trademark infringement, as reported by MacRumors. In its lawsuit, Apple alleged that Apple Cinemas and owner Sand Media have tried to 'capitalize on the highly-regarded Apple brand' in connection with an 'aggressive nationwide expansion.' 'We are committed to defending our brand, our history, and our continued right to operate as Apple Cinemas—an identity that is and has always been clearly distinct and fully compliant with all applicable trademark laws,' Apple Cinemas says. The company states that the name 'reflects our roots, beginning with our first planned location at the Apple Valley Mall in New England' and that it is now a 'top 25 movie theater chain' in the US. 'Apple Cinemas is a long-established independent theater chain with no connection to Apple Inc. Our name reflects our geographic roots and has never been intended to suggest, or used to imply, any affiliation with their brand. Furthermore, claims of consumer confusion are unfounded. Apple Cinema's branding is clearly differentiated.' While Apple alleged that Apple Cinemas and Sand Media have 'refused to engage with Apple's repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably,' Apple Cinemas says that 'we have responded reasonably and transparently to all legal communications regarding this matter and remain focused on growing our business and brand in good faith, as we have for over a decade.' Apple Cinemas, which has most of its locations in the Northeast US, opened its first West Coast location in San Francisco earlier this year. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Apple Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Entertainment Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple... cinemas? Tech giant sues movie theater chain
Apple is suing another fruit-named company — Apple Cinemas — in an attempt to get the small theater company to change its name. Apple Cinemas has reportedly signed a lease to take over a historic cinema and a retail space in San Francisco that had previously been operated by AMC Theaters and CGV Cinemas. The purchase is part of Apple Cinema's overall goal of expanding to 100 locations across the country over the next 10 years. Apple entered a lawsuit on Friday in Massachusetts alleging that the theater company is infringing on its trademark and using its brand to trick consumers into thinking they're attending a cinema operated by the tech company. Apple does have a cinema division — Apple Studios — which it began in 2019, but Apple has been offering movie-adjacent entertainment since 1999 via its QuickTime Movie Trailers. The tech company also held cinema events, including some in connection with the Tribeca Film Festival. The cinema company began its operations in 2013 when it opened its first theater in Massachusetts. The company says its name is from it's initial plans to open its first theater in the Apple Valley Mall in New England, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The company primarily operated in the northeast until it laid out its plans to expand to San Francisco and other parts of the country in 2024. Sand Media — Apple Cinema's parent company — filed an application for the name "Apple Cinematic Experience" but was denied. A trademark examiner ruled that the name might cause confusion between Apple Cinemas and the tech company. Apple responded to that branding attempt by sending Sand Media a cease and desist letter. It further claims that Apple Cinemas began using a stylized apple for its logo and began focusing its expansion on malls and shopping centers where Apple Stores were already present. According to the lawsuit, the similar names resulted in landlords at these locations assuming that Apple Cinemas was affiliated with the tech brand. Apple alleges that Apple Cinemas was given favorable deals to open in some areas as a result of the presumed connection. Further driving the tech giant's lawsuit are claims that some customers have had negative experiences with Apple Cinemas. Some customers have complained that the theaters are "greasy," "dirty" and "grungy" and are at times beset by technical issues. 'Consumers should not go to an 'Apple Cinemas' theater thinking it is connected to the famous Apple brand, with all its goodwill and brand equity,' Miranda Means, an attorney representing Apple, stated in the lawsuit. Apple's goals with its lawsuit are to force the theater chain to stop using the word "Apple" in its name. It is also seeking damages, though the amount was unspecified. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Apple... cinemas? Tech giant sues movie theater chain
Apple is suing another fruit-named company — Apple Cinemas — in an attempt to get the small theater company to change its name. Apple Cinemas has reportedly signed a lease to take over a historic cinema and a retail space in San Francisco that had previously been operated by AMC Theaters and CGV Cinemas. The purchase is part of Apple Cinema's overall goal of expanding to 100 locations across the country over the next 10 years. Apple entered a lawsuit on Friday in Massachusetts alleging that the theater company is infringing on its trademark and using its brand to trick consumers into thinking they're attending a cinema operated by the tech company. Apple does have a cinema division — Apple Studios — which it began in 2019, but Apple has been offering movie-adjacent entertainment since 1999 via its QuickTime Movie Trailers. The tech company also held cinema events, including some in connection with the Tribeca Film Festival. The cinema company began its operations in 2013 when it opened its first theater in Massachusetts. The company says its name is from it's initial plans to open its first theater in the Apple Valley Mall in New England, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The company primarily operated in the northeast until it laid out its plans to expand to San Francisco and other parts of the country in 2024. Sand Media — Apple Cinema's parent company — filed an application for the name "Apple Cinematic Experience" but was denied. A trademark examiner ruled that the name might cause confusion between Apple Cinemas and the tech company. Apple responded to that branding attempt by sending Sand Media a cease and desist letter. It further claims that Apple Cinemas began using a stylized apple for its logo and began focusing its expansion on malls and shopping centers where Apple Stores were already present. According to the lawsuit, the similar names resulted in landlords at these locations assuming that Apple Cinemas was affiliated with the tech brand. Apple alleges that Apple Cinemas was given favorable deals to open in some areas as a result of the presumed connection. Further driving the tech giant's lawsuit are claims that some customers have had negative experiences with Apple Cinemas. Some customers have complained that the theaters are "greasy," "dirty" and "grungy" and are at times beset by technical issues. 'Consumers should not go to an 'Apple Cinemas' theater thinking it is connected to the famous Apple brand, with all its goodwill and brand equity,' Miranda Means, an attorney representing Apple, stated in the lawsuit. Apple's goals with its lawsuit are to force the theater chain to stop using the word "Apple" in its name. It is also seeking damages, though the amount was unspecified.
The Verge
7 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Apple is suing Apple Cinemas
Apple is suing the owner of the Apple Cinemas theater chain, Sand Media, over alleged trademark infringement, as reported by Reuters. In the lawsuit, Apple alleges that Apple Cinemas and Sand Media have made efforts to 'capitalize on the highly-regarded Apple brand in connection with the aggressive nationwide expansion' and that they have 'refused to engage with Apple's repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably.' 'Consumers should not go to an 'Apple Cinemas' theater thinking it is connected to the famous Apple brand, with all its goodwill and brand equity, when Apple Cinemas has no relation whatsoever to Apple,' Apple says. Apple Cinemas didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. Apple Cinemas has operated 'outside a few suburbs and city outskirts in New England,' Apple says. However, Apple Cinemas recently opened a theater in the San Francisco Bay Area within 50 miles of Apple's Cupertino headquarters and plans to open another soon. 'Already, Defendants' actions have confused customers and diluted Apple's brand,' Apple says. The lawsuit includes screenshots of social media posts asking if Apple Cinemas is related to Apple. Apple also notes that 'media coverage of the theater openings on both coasts found it necessary to explain that Apple Cinemas was not affiliated with Apple Inc.' and includes examples. Apple Cinemas is planning an 'aggressive national expansion to 100 theaters,' according to the from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Apple Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
