> In some limited circumstances a company might be able to sue over the use copyright in another work but for the most part fair use would protect them.
Incorrect, or at the very least studios disagree with you, as they act as if the opposite is true. I'm going to trust their (and their lawyers') judgement over that of yours.
There is no indication in that link, or any other links I have read on the topic that Apple is doing this via copyright.
Apple could be paying studio's to keep the products away from villain, Apple could be supplying devices or other services for free as a condition if they agree to those terms, Apple itself is a production company so directors and other people in the industry could be voluntary agreeing to it for their own professional reasons...
I have not read a single legal expert that claims Apple could successfully sue a studio for copyright or even trademark infringement if a bad guy was using an iPhone in a movie.
Incorrect, or at the very least studios disagree with you, as they act as if the opposite is true. I'm going to trust their (and their lawyers') judgement over that of yours.
For example, Apple is infamously controlling about use of its products by villains in media, and studios listen to them: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/26/apple-wont-let-bad-guys-use-...