Industry News

Sinemia sued by MoviePass after entering US

MoviePass has launched legal action against movie subscription service rival Sinemia, which announced its entry into the US market just this week.

MoviePass filed the suit on Friday claiming Turkish firm Sinemia has been using its patented electronic payment technology without authorisation.

Online movie ticketing startup Sinemia plans to further disrupt the US box office market through the launch of its subscription service that offers members access to any movie, in any format, at any theatre at any show time. It originally announced its US launch in January.

Sinemia is now introducing what it believes to be a flexible and more consumer-friendly monthly movie ticket plan membership in the US.

It includes an integrative mobile app, through which Sinemia is balancing high-value customer satisfaction within a “sustainable” business model.

Sinemia, which currently offers cinema subscriptions in its home market at 19 liras ($5.10/£3.78/€4.27) a month, is already active in the UK, Canada, Turkey, and Australia.

Prior to its US launch, Sinemia already boasted three million global unique monthly visitors to its social web and app platforms with more than 20 million visits.

Sinemia members receive as many as three monthly movie tickets for less than the cost of one, and the subscriptions are designed to impose fewer restrictions than rival services. Sinemia members can select any movie format, including 3D and IMAX at any cinema and at any time. 

In addition, Sinemia members benefit from advanced ticket options and seat reservations. The service is also the first to offer couples’ subscriptions with Sinemia for Two.

“As a tech startup with passion for movies, our goal is to create a more elevated movie-going experience via offline and online integration. We offer prime memberships, including movie tickets and discounts to restaurants and cafes that increase movie-going frequency in a sustainable way,” said Rifat Oguz, founder of Sinemia.

“Already, we are successfully operating in five countries around the world and plan to open in four additional markets in the near future.

“Leveraging unique technologies, we have put forth the most innovative, high-value, and least restrictive movie ticket subscription service to date. While we do not offer ‘more’ tickets per month, Sinemia does offer higher quality tickets and a superior customer experience.

“We are happy to serve a proven movie ticket subscription model that creates a bigger value for customers and financially sustainable business for all partners in the movie-going ecosystem.”

Image: Pixabay