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 âcapitalize on the highly-regarded Apple brand in connection with the aggressive nationwide expansionâ and that they have ârefused to engage with Appleâs repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably.â
âConsumers should not go to an âApple Cinemasâ 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,â Apple says.
Apple Cinemas didnât immediately reply to a request for comment.
Apple Cinemas has operated âoutside a few suburbs and city outskirts in New England,â Apple says. However, Apple Cinemas recently opened a theater in the San Francisco Bay Area within 50 miles of Appleâs Cupertino headquarters and plans to open another soon.
âAlready, Defendantsâ actions have confused customers and diluted Appleâs brand,â Apple says. The lawsuit includes screenshots of social media posts asking if Apple Cinemas is related to Apple. Apple also notes that âmedia coverage of the theater openings on both coasts found it necessary to explain that Apple Cinemas was not affiliated with Apple Inc.â and includes examples. Apple Cinemas is planning an âaggressive national expansion to 100 theaters,â according to the lawsuit.
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