Overview

• Apple filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court on August 1 targeting Sand Media and its Apple Cinemas theater chain.
• The complaint alleges that Apple Cinemas intentionally leverages the tech company’s name to mislead customers and benefit from its global reputation.
• Apple is requesting a court order to stop further use of the “Apple Cinemas” name and monetary damages for brand dilution.
• Since 2013, the chain has grown to 14 locations and recently opened its first West Coast venue in San Francisco while planning a 100-theater nationwide rollout.
• The legal action follows an October 2024 USPTO refusal to register Apple Cinemas’ trademarks and an ignored December cease-and-desist letter.