Apple Cinemas, a theater chain not affiliated with Apple, has responded to Apple’s recent lawsuit over alleged trademark infringement, as reported by MacRumors. In its lawsuit, Apple alleged that Apple Cinemas and owner Sand Media have tried to “capitalize on the highly-regarded Apple brand” in connection with an “aggressive nationwide expansion.”
“We are committed to defending our brand, our history, and our continued right to operate as Apple Cinemas—an identity that is and has always been clearly distinct and fully compliant with all applicable trademark laws,” Apple Cinemas says. The company states that the name “reflects our roots, beginning with our first planned location at the Apple Valley Mall in New England” and that it is now a “top 25 movie theater chain” in the US.
“Apple Cinemas is a long-established independent theater chain with no connection to Apple Inc. Our name reflects our geographic roots and has never been intended to suggest, or used to imply, any affiliation with their brand. Furthermore, claims of consumer confusion are unfounded. Apple Cinema’s branding is clearly differentiated.”
While Apple alleged that Apple Cinemas and Sand Media have “refused to engage with Apple’s repeated efforts to resolve the matter amicably,” Apple Cinemas says that “we have responded reasonably and transparently to all legal communications regarding this matter and remain focused on growing our business and brand in good faith, as we have for over a decade.”
Apple Cinemas, which has most of its locations in the Northeast US, opened its first West Coast location in San Francisco earlier this year.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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