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UK Apple Shop Forced To Change Its Name

Posted by timothy on from the but-but-but-the-semantic-web dept.

tlhIngan writes "The Apple Shop, in Norfolk, UK is a little corner store that sells apple products. Not Apple products, but apple products, in this case, cider. However, it's been forced to change its name to the Norfolk Cider Shop. However, the name change did not come from any lawsuit from Apple (the Cupertino one, that is), nor has there been any evidence that Apple (Cupertino) knew about them. Instead, they're changing their name because their phones have been ringing constantly from people seeking help with their Apple (Cupertino) products. Apple (Cupertino) opened an Apple store in 2009 in the nearby (larger) town of Norwich."

6 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Impressive! by gazbo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I mean I guess the summary could have been written in a more cunty way, but I don't see how. So high fives all round!

  2. oh what subtle guile. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    this isn't even spin, it isn't news, and wow you guys are whores.

  3. Re:these guys are poor businessmen by itsdapead · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Poor businessmen?

    This move got their little shop a namecheck in the national news in the UK. Ker-ching!

    --
    In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
  4. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by erpbridge · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Had that been the case, them including the service of consulting, repairing, recommending, or selling Apple (Cupertino) branded products or accessories, that probably would have given Apple (Cupertino) the necessary ammunition to sue them to change their name... even if the apple (fruit) products were the primary function of the store still.

    It sounds like a lose/lose... Either you get the phone ringing, taking up your time and business and pulling you away from your customers walking in the door, to the point you change your name... or you take advantage of the opportunity, and open yourself up to being sued for the name.

  5. Re:Missed a golden opportunity. by Cinder6 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think you might be overestimating the influence of this little fruit shop...

    --
    If you can't convince them, convict them.
  6. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by martin-boundary · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It sounds like a lose/lose/win... Either you get the phone ringing, taking up your time and business and pulling you away from your customers walking in the door, to the point you change your name... or you take advantage of the opportunity, and open yourself up to being sued for the name.

    ...or you set up an automatic answering machine:

    "Welcome to the Apple Shop. We specialize in cider and cider related products.

    If you would like help with your computer, press 1.

    For any other enquiries regarding cider products, press 2.

    ...

    1. "The Apple Shop does not sell computer products. Please wait to be transferred to Apple customer service in Norwich. You will be charged 30p for this transfer."

    2. "Apple Shop. Hello, how may I help hou?"

    There, FTFY.