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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."

16 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. So by forced, they mean chose by Stewie241 · · Score: 5, Informative

    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?

    1. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by djl4570 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Forced by a meatspace DDOS attack on their phone number.

    2. 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.

    3. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by davester666 · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    4. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 4, Funny

      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 . . . ?

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    5. 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.

    6. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by gmanterry · · Score: 4, Funny

      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.

      --
      Since when is "public safety" the root password to the Constitution?
    7. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      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.

  2. 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!

    1. Re:Impressive! by sa1lnr · · Score: 4, Funny

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

      Says a user with a facebook icon. :)

  3. What's that sound I hear? by Twinbee · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...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).

    --
    Why OpalCalc is the best Windows calc
  4. apple is still evil by alen · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  5. McDonalds verses McDonalds by Grayhand · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  6. 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.
  7. Missed a golden opportunity. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  8. Tell customers ... by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... 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!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.