Acorn Computers (2006): Difference between revisions

Acorn Computers Limited
Company type	Computer hardware
Industry	Computer hardware
Predecessor	Acorn Computers (via brand acquisition)
Founded	April 2006 (second launch)
Defunct	December 2009
Fate	Dissolved
Headquarters	Nottingham, England, UK
Products	deskBOOK series; sohoNOTE series; dataPOD;
Website	Website at the Wayback Machine (archived 2008-07-13)

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Acorn Computers Ltd was a British computer company based in Nottingham, England in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2009. It licensed, in early 2006, the dormant Acorn Computers trademark from French company Aristide & Co Antiquaire De Marques.^[1] This company sold IBM PC compatible computers^[2] and had no connection to ARM, a spin-off from the original Acorn Computers.^[3]

Launch

In April 2006, internet news portals claimed that the Acorn company was to relaunch.^[4]^[5] The new company announced its range before the 2006 Computer Trade Show, held at the NEC near Birmingham, UK.^[6] At the show, the company distributed leaflets inviting people to "be part of one of the most exciting brand re-launches in UK history" by joining its reseller program.^[7]^[8]

Products

The company sold a range of laptop computers. The systems used Microsoft Windows rather than the RISC OS operating system developed by the original Acorn Computers and this incarnation of Acorn did not support or license any technologies or products of the original, apart from the name and trademark.^[2]^[9]

The reuse of the Acorn Computers Ltd name caused an amount of confusion and controversy, particularly amongst users of the original company's products.^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]

Domain dispute

On 24 July 2006, Nominet's Dispute Resolution Service ruled that the domain name acorncomputers.co.uk should be transferred to the new Acorn from computer enthusiast Roy Johnson. The company made a complaint to the service contending that the "use of Acorn Computers' company name is illegal and has caused much confusion and continues to do so which is detrimental to [Acorn] and extremely misleading". Despite the fact that Johnson appeared to have been operating the website since at least 2001, five years before the new Acorn was registered as a company, Nominet ruled in favour of Acorn, as Johnson had not maintained an accurate record of his postal address, and mail to Johnson's registered address was returned by Royal Mail marked 'addressee has gone away'.^[15]^[1]

Demise

Acorn Computers Ltd failed to file any accounts at Companies House, and so was struck off the limited companies register^[16] and dissolved in December 2009.

References

^ ^a ^b DRS Number 03682, Acorn Computers Limited and Roy Johnson, Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service and Companies House WebCheck
^ ^a ^b "Acorn Computers Limited – About". 2007. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007.
^ Malone, Steve (8 May 2006). "Acorn Computers name resurrected". PC Pro. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011. The new incarnation of Acorn Computers has no connection with ARM (Acorn RISC Machines, a spin-off) – which has since carved itself a lucrative niche in designing chips for mobile phones.
^ Acorn Computers to be reborn as laptop maker, Marc Penton, engadget.com, 5 May 2006.
^ Acorn Computers reborn Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, blaptops.com, 10 May 2006.
^ Smith, Tony (5 May 2006). "Acorn revived to launch laptop PCs". Reg Hardware. The Register. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. It has said it will offer four notebooks: the 12.1in Solo Note, 14.1in Solo Book, 15.4in Desk Note and 17in Desk Book, all equipped with WXGA displays, run Windows XP and will bundle Sun's Star Office.
^ Exhibitor: Acorn Computers Ltd Archived 13 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Computer Trade Show 2006 website
^ Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chris Williams, Drobe.co.uk, 15 May 2006, 00:11:28GMT
^ Goodwins, Rupert (10 May 2006). "Rupert Goodwins' Diary". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2011. But all that's left of the company itself now finds itself employed as a badge on a series of laptops imported by a Nottingham firm with, it has to be said, almost no interesting features. The only claim to innovation the company can provide is that the screens are particularly shiny thanks to 'Acorn Vybrio Technology' which gives them 'a glass like finish for vibrancy and brilliance.'
^ Computer Trade Show Exhibitor thread, comp.sys.acorn.misc, started 4 May 2006
^ Poole, Andrew (5 May 2006). "It's Acorn, but not as we know them..." iconbar.com.
^ Williams, Chris (5 May 2006). "Acorn brand name in PC laptop launch". drobe.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012.
^ Williams, Chris (15 May 2006). "Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn". drobe.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011.
^ Onega evaluates Acorn
^ ROS fan loses Acorn domain in dispute Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Josh Eilken, drobe.co.uk, 6 September 2006
^ London Gazette

External links

Official website (archive copy from 2008)

[:03682-1] DRS Number 03682, Acorn Computers Limited and Roy Johnson, Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service and Companies House WebCheck

[About-2] "Acorn Computers Limited – About". 2007. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007.

[3] Malone, Steve (8 May 2006). "Acorn Computers name resurrected". PC Pro. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011. The new incarnation of Acorn Computers has no connection with ARM (Acorn RISC Machines, a spin-off) – which has since carved itself a lucrative niche in designing chips for mobile phones.

[4] Acorn Computers to be reborn as laptop maker, Marc Penton, engadget.com, 5 May 2006.

[5] Acorn Computers reborn Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, blaptops.com, 10 May 2006.

[6] Smith, Tony (5 May 2006). "Acorn revived to launch laptop PCs". Reg Hardware. The Register. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. It has said it will offer four notebooks: the 12.1in Solo Note, 14.1in Solo Book, 15.4in Desk Note and 17in Desk Book, all equipped with WXGA displays, run Windows XP and will bundle Sun's Star Office.

[7] Exhibitor: Acorn Computers Ltd Archived 13 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Computer Trade Show 2006 website

[8] Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Chris Williams, Drobe.co.uk, 15 May 2006, 00:11:28GMT

[zdnet_goodwins_diary-9] Goodwins, Rupert (10 May 2006). "Rupert Goodwins' Diary". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2011. But all that's left of the company itself now finds itself employed as a badge on a series of laptops imported by a Nottingham firm with, it has to be said, almost no interesting features. The only claim to innovation the company can provide is that the screens are particularly shiny thanks to 'Acorn Vybrio Technology' which gives them 'a glass like finish for vibrancy and brilliance.'

[10] Computer Trade Show Exhibitor thread, comp.sys.acorn.misc, started 4 May 2006

[11] Poole, Andrew (5 May 2006). "It's Acorn, but not as we know them..." iconbar.com.

[12] Williams, Chris (5 May 2006). "Acorn brand name in PC laptop launch". drobe.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012.

[13] Williams, Chris (15 May 2006). "Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn". drobe.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011.

[14] Onega evaluates Acorn

[15] ROS fan loses Acorn domain in dispute Archived 21 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Josh Eilken, drobe.co.uk, 6 September 2006

[16] London Gazette

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|British company founded in 2006 unrelated to ARM}}
-{{about|the (now defunct) manufacturer of IBM PC compatible computers|the (also defunct) manufacturer of 8-bit microcomputers and 32-bit RISC OS personal computers|Acorn Computers}}
+{{about|the 21st century manufacturer of IBM PC compatible computers|the 20th century manufacturer of 8-bit microcomputers and 32-bit RISC OS personal computers|Acorn Computers}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
 {{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
 {{Infobox company
-| type           = Computer hardware
+| type = Computer hardware
-| name           = Acorn Computers Limited
+| name = Acorn Computers Limited
-| logo           = AcornbigLogo.JPG
+| logo = AcornbigLogo.JPG
-| logo_size      = 144px
+| logo_size = 144px
-| fate           = Dissolved
+| fate = Dissolved
-| predecessor    = [[Acorn Computers]] <small>(1978–2000)</small>
+| predecessor = [[Acorn Computers]] (via brand acquisition)
+| foundation = April 2006 (second launch)
-| successor      = Acorn Inc. Ltd  (relaunched)
+| defunct = December 2009
-| foundation     = April 2006 (second launch)<br> {{start date and age|2017}} <small>(as Acorn Inc)</small>
+| location = [[Nottingham]], England, UK
-| founder        =
+| industry = [[Computer hardware]]
-| defunct        = December 2009
+| products = {{plainlist|
-| location       = [[Nottingham]], England, UK
+*deskBOOK series
-| key_people     =
+*sohoNOTE series
-| industry       = [[Computer hardware]]
+*dataPOD}}
-| products       = deskBOOK series<br>sohoNOTE series<br>dataPOD<br>[[Acorn Computers|Acorn Micro C5]]
-| website = {{URL|https://www.acorncomputers.co.uk}}
+| website = {{webarchive|title=Website|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713130837/https://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/}}
 }}
-'''Acorn Computers Ltd''' was a British computer company based in [[Nottingham]], England in the United Kingdom. It licensed the dormant [[Acorn Computers]] [[trademark]] from French company [[Aristide & Co Antiquaire De Marques]] in early 2006.<ref name=:03682>[http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/DRS/2006/3682.html DRS Number 03682, Acorn Computers Limited and Roy Johnson, Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service] and [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/1295b4d20fd04adea45e0f6fa7f3c128/compdetails Companies House WebCheck]</ref> This company sold [[IBM PC compatible]] computers<ref name="About"/> and had no connection to [[ARM Holdings|ARM]].<ref>
+'''Acorn Computers Ltd''' was a British computer company based in [[Nottingham]], England in the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2009. It licensed, in early 2006, the dormant [[Acorn Computers]] [[trademark]] from French company Aristide & Co Antiquaire De Marques.<ref name=:03682>[http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/DRS/2006/3682.html DRS Number 03682, Acorn Computers Limited and Roy Johnson, Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service] and [http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/1295b4d20fd04adea45e0f6fa7f3c128/compdetails Companies House WebCheck]</ref> This company sold [[IBM PC compatible]] computers<ref name="About"/> and had no connection to [[ARM Holdings|ARM]], a spin-off from the original Acorn Computers.<ref>
 {{cite web
 | url = http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/86986/acorn-computers-name-resurrected
+| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120925015631/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/86986/acorn-computers-name-resurrected
+| archive-date = 2012-09-25
+| url-status = dead
 | title = Acorn Computers name resurrected
-| accessdate = 2011-03-18
+| access-date = 2011-03-18
 | last = Malone
 | first = Steve
@@ Line 34: / Line 38: @@
 ==Launch==
 [[File:GaogiersDataPOD.jpg|right|thumb|An Acorn dataPOD [[harddrive|external harddrive]] ]]
-In April 2006, internet news portals claimed that the company was to relaunch.<ref>
+In April 2006, internet news portals claimed that the Acorn company was to relaunch.<ref>
 [https://www.engadget.com/2006/05/05/acorn-computers-to-be-reborn-as-laptop-maker/ Acorn Computers to be reborn as laptop maker], Marc Penton, engadget.com, 5 May 2006.
 </ref><ref>
@@ Line 42: / Line 46: @@
 | url = http://www.reghardware.com/2006/05/05/acorn_computers_reborn/
 | title = Acorn revived to launch laptop PCs
-| accessdate = 2011-03-18
 | last = Smith
 | first = Tony
@@ Line 48: / Line 51: @@
 | work = Reg Hardware
 | publisher = [[The Register]]
+| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101121032150/http://www.reghardware.com/2006/05/05/acorn_computers_reborn/
+| archive-date = 21 November 2010
 | quote = It has said it will offer four notebooks: the 12.1in Solo Note, 14.1in Solo Book, 15.4in Desk Note and 17in Desk Book, all equipped with WXGA displays, run Windows XP and will bundle Sun's Star Office.
 }}
 </ref> At the show, the company distributed leaflets inviting people to "be part of one of the most exciting brand re-launches in UK history" by joining its reseller program.<ref>
 [http://www.ctshow.co.uk/cgi-events/exview.pl?exhibition_id=91&exbtr_id=6424 Exhibitor: Acorn Computers Ltd] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013190558/http://www.ctshow.co.uk/cgi-events/exview.pl?exhibition_id=91&exbtr_id=6424 |date=13 October 2006 }}, Computer Trade Show 2006 website
+</ref><ref>[http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221015954/http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html |date=21 February 2009 }}, Chris Williams, Drobe.co.uk, 15 May 2006, 00:11:28GMT</ref>
-</ref><ref>
-[http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn], Chris Williams, Drobe.co.uk, 15 May 2006, 00:11:28GMT
-</ref>
 ==Products==
-The company sold a range of [[laptop computer]]s. The systems used [[Microsoft Windows]] rather than the [[RISC OS]] operating system developed by the original [[Acorn Computers]] and this incarnation of Acorn did not support or license any technologies or products of the original, apart from the name and trademark.<ref name="About">[https://web.archive.org/web/20071008042529/http://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/about.htm Acorn Computers Limited – About], 2007</ref><ref name="zdnet goodwins diary">{{cite news|url=http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mixed-signals-10000051/rupert-goodwins-diary-10004273/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130505104212/http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mixed-signals-10000051/rupert-goodwins-diary-10004273/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Rupert Goodwins' Diary |work=[[ZDNet]] |date=10 May 2006 |accessdate=15 December 2011 |author=Goodwins, Rupert |quote=But all that's left of the company itself now finds itself employed as a badge on a series of laptops imported by a Nottingham firm with, it has to be said, almost no interesting features. The only claim to innovation the company can provide is that the screens are particularly shiny thanks to "Acorn Vybrio Technology" which gives them "a glass like finish for vibrancy and brilliance." |authorlink=Rupert Goodwins }}</ref>
+The company sold a range of [[laptop computer]]s. The systems used [[Microsoft Windows]] rather than the [[RISC OS]] operating system developed by the original [[Acorn Computers]] and this incarnation of Acorn did not support or license any technologies or products of the original, apart from the name and trademark.<ref name="About">
+{{cite web
+| url = http://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/about.htm
+| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008042529/http://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/about.htm
+| url-status = dead
+| archive-date = 8 October 2007
+| title = Acorn Computers Limited – About
+| year = 2007
+}}
+</ref><ref name="zdnet goodwins diary">
+{{cite news
+| url = http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mixed-signals-10000051/rupert-goodwins-diary-10004273/
+| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130505104212/http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/mixed-signals-10000051/rupert-goodwins-diary-10004273/
+| url-status = dead
+| archive-date = 5 May 2013
+| title = Rupert Goodwins' Diary
+| work=[[ZDNet]]
+| date=10 May 2006
+| access-date=15 December 2011
+| author = Goodwins, Rupert
+| quote = But all that's left of the company itself now finds itself employed as a badge on a series of laptops imported by a Nottingham firm with, it has to be said, almost no interesting features. The only claim to innovation the company can provide is that the screens are particularly shiny thanks to 'Acorn Vybrio Technology' which gives them 'a glass like finish for vibrancy and brilliance.'
+| authorlink = Rupert Goodwins
+}}</ref>
-The reuse of the Acorn Computers Ltd name caused an amount of confusion and controversy, particularly amongst users of the original company's products.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.acorn.misc/browse_thread/thread/f11f0971025447c/a8269d8c0713c529?q=acorn+computers&lnk=ol& Computer Trade Show Exhibitor thread], comp.sys.acorn.misc, started 4 May 2006; [http://www.iconbar.com/Its_Acorn_but_not_as_we_know_them.../news698.html It's Acorn, but not as we know them...] Andrew Poole, iconbar.com, 5 May 2006; [http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1594.html Acorn brand name in PC laptop launch] Chris Williams, drobe.co.uk, 5 May 2006; [http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn] Chris Williams, drobe.co.uk, 15 May 2006; [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313175446/http://wiki.onega.net/index.php?title=News Onega evaluates Acorn]</ref>
+The reuse of the Acorn Computers Ltd name caused an amount of confusion and controversy, particularly amongst users of the original company's products.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.acorn.misc/browse_thread/thread/f11f0971025447c/a8269d8c0713c529?q=acorn+computers&lnk=ol& Computer Trade Show Exhibitor thread], comp.sys.acorn.misc, started 4 May 2006</ref><ref>
+{{cite news
+| url = http://www.iconbar.com/Its_Acorn_but_not_as_we_know_them.../news698.html
+| title = It's Acorn, but not as we know them...
+| work = iconbar.com
+| date = 5 May 2006
+| author = Poole, Andrew
+}}
+</ref><ref>
+{{cite news
+| url = http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1594.html
+| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120219000931/http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1594.html
+| url-status = dead
+| archive-date = 19 February 2012
+| title = Acorn brand name in PC laptop launch
+| work = drobe.co.uk
+| date = 5 May 2006
+| author = Williams, Chris
+}}
+</ref><ref>
+{{cite news
+| url = http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html
+| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927023536/http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1608.html
+| url-status = dead
+| archive-date = 27 September 2011
+| title = Acorn is a legendary brand says new Acorn
+| work = drobe.co.uk
+| date = 15 May 2006
+| author = Williams, Chris
+}}
+</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070313175446/http://wiki.onega.net/index.php?title=News Onega evaluates Acorn]</ref>
 ==Domain dispute==
-On 24 July 2006, [[Nominet]]'s Dispute Resolution Service ruled that the domain name {{samp|acorncomputers.co.uk}} should be transferred to the new Acorn from computer enthusiast Roy Johnson. The company made a complaint to the service contending that the "use of Acorn Computers' company name is illegal and has caused much confusion and continues to do so which is detrimental to [Acorn] and extremely misleading". Despite the fact that Johnson appeared to have been operating the website since at least 2001, five years before the new Acorn was registered as a company, Nominet ruled in favour of Acorn, as Johnson had not maintained an accurate record of his postal address, and mail to Johnson's registered address was returned by [[Royal Mail]] marked 'addressee has gone away'.<ref>[http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1699.html ROS fan loses Acorn domain in dispute], Josh Eilken, drobe.co.uk, 6 September 2006</ref><ref name=:03682/>
+On 24 July 2006, [[Nominet]]'s Dispute Resolution Service ruled that the domain name {{samp|acorncomputers.co.uk}} should be transferred to the new Acorn from computer enthusiast Roy Johnson. The company made a complaint to the service contending that the "use of Acorn Computers' company name is illegal and has caused much confusion and continues to do so which is detrimental to [Acorn] and extremely misleading". Despite the fact that Johnson appeared to have been operating the website since at least 2001, five years before the new Acorn was registered as a company, Nominet ruled in favour of Acorn, as Johnson had not maintained an accurate record of his postal address, and mail to Johnson's registered address was returned by [[Royal Mail]] marked 'addressee has gone away'.<ref>[http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1699.html ROS fan loses Acorn domain in dispute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221020023/http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact1699.html |date=21 February 2009 }}, Josh Eilken, drobe.co.uk, 6 September 2006</ref><ref name=:03682/>
 ==Demise==
-Acorn Computers Ltd failed to file any accounts at [[Companies House]], and so was struck off the limited companies register<ref>[http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/822185/supplements/473 London Gazette]</ref> and dissolved in December 2009.<ref>[http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/81b8ecfd4288608e9886401ffcf2a982/compdetails Companies House WebCheck]</ref>
+Acorn Computers Ltd failed to file any accounts at [[Companies House]], and so was struck off the limited companies register<ref>[http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/822185/supplements/473 London Gazette]</ref> and dissolved in December 2009.
 ==References==
@@ Line 71: / Line 126: @@
 ==External links==
-* {{official website|http://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/}}
+* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080713130837/https://www.acorncomputers.co.uk/}} (archive copy from 2008)
 {{coord missing|Nottinghamshire}}
-[[Category:Companies based in Nottingham]]
+[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Nottingham]]
-[[Category:Computer companies of the United Kingdom]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United Kingdom]]
-[[Category:Computer hardware companies]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
+[[Category:Defunct computer systems companies]]
 [[Category:Re-established companies]]
 [[Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2009]]
 [[Category:Computer companies established in 2006]]
+[[Category:Defunct companies of England]]