Apple has filed a lawsuit in opposition to the movie show Apple Cinemas over what it says is a deliberate try to capitalize on its title.
It isn’t often a shock when an organization sues to guard its title or logos, and often it is extra sudden once they fail. However Apple Cinemas opened its first theater in 2013, and it was based in 2010, but Apple seemingly left it alone till now.
That is as a result of up till lately, Apple Cinemas was a small chain primarily based in Massachusetts. However in the midst of an initially fairly sluggish enlargement, it opened a theater in San Fransisco in July 2025, and apparently that was too near house for Apple.
As first noticed by MacRumors, Apple has filed swimsuit as a result of Apple Cinemas has introduced plans so as to add 100 additional theaters nationwide. Based on Apple’s full submitting, the film firm has “refused to interact with Apple’s repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably.”
Extra, Apple alleges that there’s already public confusion over its involvement within the chain, and cites social media posts as proof. Plus it claims that Apple Cinemas marked the opening of its San Francisco theater by touting “its ‘high-tech’ choices’,” because it “teased one other San Francisco Bay Space theater coming quickly.”
Apple maintains that these two theaters are near its Apple Park headquarters, and claims that Apple Cinemas is deliberately pursuing nationwide enlargement close to Apple’s retail retailer areas.
Reportedly, the house owners of the chain utilized to the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) in 2024 to register “Apple Cinemas” and “ACX — Apple Cinematic Expertise”. Each purposes have been denied, particularly as a result of USPTO mentioned they have been prone to trigger confusion with Apple’s prior logos.
Apple subsequently despatched a stop and desist letter to the chain’s house owners, Sand Media. The house owners haven’t commented publicly.
There are a number of companies whose names embody the phrase “Apple.” Nevertheless, this movie show chain is increasing simply Apple is seeing success with movies equivalent to “F1: The Film,” and because the submitting factors out, additionally had success with an Apple Cinema Show.
Based on Apple Cinema listings, the theater chain is at present screening Apple’s “F1: The Film” film on its new San Fransisco display screen, known as Apple Cinemas Van Ness Imax. Ticket costs are $18.75 for an grownup’s common seat, $16.75 for seniors and kids.