Apple’s latest legal battle is against a US-based theater chain known as Apple Cinemas, which is allegedly profiting off the name.
Apple has sued the US-based movie theater chain operating under the brand name « Apple Cinemas » over alleged trademark infringement. The Cupertino giant alleges « deliberate misuse of Apple’s world famous APPLE trademark », adding that the theater chain wants to « capitalize on the highly-regarded Apple brand » as it plans a nationwide expansion to 100 theaters.
Apple has sold movies and TV shows through iTunes for over two decades. It associated itself with film and entertainment since the 1990s, for instance, when it launched Final Cut Pro and the QuickTime Movie Trailers channel.
However, the Apple TV+ streaming service launched in 2019 was a turning point for Apple as it started producing its home-grown catalogue of original movies and TV shows.
While Apple Cinemas opened its first theater in 2013, its shallow presence was limited to the Northeastern US. Headquartered in Walpole, Massachusetts, the chain has over two dozen locations with 161 screens combined.
