Apple Cinemas, the corporate that’s being sued for alleged trademark infringement by Apple, immediately mentioned that it’s dedicated to defending its model.
We’re dedicated to defending our model, our historical past, and our continued proper to function as Apple Cinemas–an identification that’s and has all the time been clearly distinct and absolutely compliant with all relevant trademark legal guidelines.
Apple Cinemas is a long-established impartial theater chain with no connection to Apple Inc. Our identify displays our geographic roots and has by no means been meant to counsel, or used to suggest, any affiliation with their model. Moreover, claims of client confusion are unfounded. Apple Cinema’s branding is clearly differentiated.
We’ve got responded moderately and transparently to all authorized communications concerning this matter and stay centered on rising our enterprise and model in good religion, as we’ve for over a decade.
Apple filed a lawsuit in opposition to Apple Cinemas final Friday. Apple’s attorneys accused Apple Cinemas of “knowingly and deliberately utilizing the identify Apple to sow confusion for its personal profit.”
Apple Cinemas has operated since 2013, and the corporate claims that its identify got here from its first deliberate location at Apple Valley Mall in Rhode Island, however a movie show by no means opened at that mall. Apple Cinemas operates 14 complete places, based on its web site. A type of is in San Francisco, California, whereas the others are in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York.
Apple believes that Apple Cinemas is pursuing a nationwide enlargement in the USA, together with near Apple’s headquarters and retail shops.
Within the lawsuit, Apple mentioned that its “repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably” had been unsuccessful. Apple additionally cited feedback from individuals who had been beneath the impression that Apple Cinemas is owned by Apple. Apple has produced films and TV reveals distributed by way of its Apple TV+ service since 2019.
Apple Cinemas tried and did not trademark each the Apple Cinemas identify and the “Apple Cinemas Expertise,” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace denying the marks in 2024 due to potential confusion with Apple’s prior trademark rights.
Apple is looking for financial damages and an injunction to cease Apple Cinemas from utilizing the identify.