UK Apple Shop Forced To Change Its Name

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."

Comments

So by forced, they mean chose

[Stewie241]

So by forced to change their name, what they really mean is they chose to change their name because people were mistaking them for the Apple Store?

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[djl4570]

Forced by a meatspace DDOS attack on their phone number.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[erpbridge]

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.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[matunos]

I'm guessing they're happy selling cider and don't have any interest or expertise in servicing computers.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[davester666]

No, then that would become trademark infringement...Apple Inc has a trademark to use Apple in a variety of computer-related fields, while this store is using it legally in an unrelated field. If they were to switch or add computer services to their business, then they would be infringing on Apple Inc's trademark.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[PolygamousRanchKid]

Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity.

Extra strong cider (10% alcohol) might help people who have problems with their Apple products. At least, it will help them forget their problems.

A round or iCider, anyone . . . ?

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[martin-boundary]

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.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[gmanterry]

Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity. If they stumbled upon a significant demand for a service, then should've simply expanded their offerings to include that service. I'm not sure why you would go to the trouble of changing your name to avoid having to deal with people asking to do business with you.

I know how annoying this can be. My home phone number was one digit off from a beauty parlor when I lived in a small town. I got several calls every day from people trying to set up appointments. I tried to explain that they had the wrong number but the calls persisted. Finally, in desperation, I just started making appointments. Sometimes a dozen a day. After a couple of months the calls dwindled down to nothing. A guy's gotta do what he has to do.

Re:So by forced, they mean chose

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm guessing they're happy selling cider and don't have any interest or expertise in servicing computers.

So what you're saying, is they are exactly like the other Apple stores.

Impressive!

[gazbo]

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!

Re:Impressive!

[sa1lnr]

remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?

Says a user with a facebook icon. :)

Re:Impressive!

[gmhowell]

you sir, have summed up everything in a very eloquent manner. remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?

Somebody worked on slashdot prior to CmdrTaco?

Re:Impressive!

[SEE]

remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?

Let me guess, you've just temporarily misplaced the password for your three-digit UID?

What's that sound I hear?

[Twinbee]

...Almost like the roar of a thousand pitchforks being summoned out, and then calmly put back. (I admit to being a little annoyed for a second myself).

apple is still evil

[alen]

i mean who names a computer company after a fruit, so all the fruit sellers get spammed with calls about computers?

McDonalds verses McDonalds

[Grayhand]

It's a very different case since the corporation wasn't the bad guy but it made me think of another case. The corporation McDonalds once sued the head of the McDonald clan for daring to have a restaurant called McDonald's in the UK. He pointed out he had no problem with the corporation using his family's name but found it odd he'd be sued for using his own name especially when he was the head of the clan. This case is sad since neither side was causing a conflict it was the customers that forced the name change.

Apples

[jgrahn]

Now that I think of it, apples are vastly more important to me than Apple products. There are the blossoms in spring. The early kinds in August--September: Transparent Blanche, then Gyllenkrok Astrakan, Safstaholm. Later James Grieve, Aroma and many others. In October--November the nameless bitter kind which only grows in my home village and is good for baking in the oven with syrup. And finally, the apples which last into winter: Ingrid Marie, Cox Orange, Gloster.

The many forms and uses of apples is a small miracle. And yes, it's technology of a kind.

Re:these guys are poor businessmen

[itsdapead]

Poor businessmen?

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

Missed a golden opportunity.

[Anonymous Coward]

How much money could they have made letting some guy from a PC maker come in and be their receptionist? He could listen to their problems, then lead them on a chase through trouble-shooting land, and say at the end, "well, maybe you should have bought a PC, genius!) And hang UP. Then that person, angry at what he BELIEVES is Apple Corp. tech support, and switches to a PC. Apple (of Cupertino) sufffers, eventually failing.

Tell customers ...

[PPH]

... you'd be more than happy to help them out with their problems if they just bring their apples in.

Just put them in the cider press and Voila! No more problems!

Sounds like a missed opportunity

[az1324]

TAS: "Hello, The Apple Shop"
Caller: "I'm having trouble with..."
TAS (interrupts): "We have a special offer going on today that I highly recommend. It's our exclusive Cider Club membership which will deliver our latest products to you every month, year-round. And when you come into our shop you will get VIP service at our Juice (slur pronunciation) Bar. This is a limited time offer."
Caller: "Wow that sounds great how much is this Cyber (don't correct them) Club?"
TAS: "It's just £199 for the year, billed on a recurring basis. I can take your credit card information now."
Caller: "Sounds too good to be true! Sign me up!"

Waiting to see what happens

[DaveAtFraud]

The little town of Empire, Colorado (about an hour west of Denver, on U.S. 40 headed toward Winter Park ski area) has an eatery/bar/town offices called "The Hard Rock Cafe". Empire was a hard rock mining town until most precious metal mining operations left the U.S. I'm thinking this place has been called the Hard Rock Cafe since long before the trendy, international chain took up the name. Haven't heard about any legal moves to make them change their name.

Cheers,
Dave