Apple will close two stores in Texas because of … patents!

Apple is not in the habit of closing stores: generally, they are temporarily banned for renovations or change locations, but permanent closings are very rare. Recently, however, the news that the company will permanently close two stores in the US Texas – and for a (supposedly) very unexpected reason.

Apple Stonebriar and Apple Willow Bend, TexasApple Stonebriar (left) and Apple Willow Bend

As the 9to5Mac, Apple announced, for next April, the closing of stores Apple Willow Bend (in Plano) and Apple Stonebriar (in Frisco). The real reason for the closure of the locations has not been communicated, but the site has a very convincing suspicion: the stores, located in the northern suburbs of Dallas, are the only ones in Apple in the Eastern District of Texas – coincidentally or not, one of the locations in USA where the company receives more lawsuits related to patent infringements.

I explain: the Eastern District of Texas is one of the locations in the country with the most stringent laws regarding intellectual property. Since US law states that a company can receive claims at any location where it has a “regular and established presence” (such as a store), patent trolls usually choose the location to sue Apple for a better chance of receiving a favorable decision.

With the closing of the two stores there, Apple will no longer have a “regular and established presence” in the Eastern District of Texas and, as a result, companies will have to choose other locations to process it (where it will be more likely to protect).

This does not mean that residents of the region will be left without Apple stores: Apple plans to open a new one in the mall Dallas Galleria, a few kilometers from the division between the Eastern District and North Texas. Look at Cupertino’s cunning illustrated on this map designed by MacRumors:

Location of Apple stores in the Eastern District of Texas

In an official statement, Apple announced the opening of the Apple Dallas Galleria for April, as well as the closure of the aforementioned stores; closing space employees will have jobs offered at the new store or elsewhere. As more information about the opening comes up, we’ll keep you updated.

Mexico City

Meanwhile, a little south of Texas, Apple is preparing to open its second store in Mexico City.

Construction of the new Apple store in Mexico City

Photos published by the site Xataka Mexico show the construction of the space in front of the Antara Fashion Hall, a luxury shopping mall close to the city center; previously; people commented on the possibility of the store being built inside the mall, but Apple seems to have chosen this more visible space to set an address.

There is no more information about the store or its possible opening date, but the photos indicate a structure similar to the one we saw at Apple Broadway Plaza, in Walnut Creek (USA) – that is, a flat roof that extends in relation to the walls glass, with an airy interior and curved corners.

The store must have all the elements recently introduced by Apple, such as the big screen Today at Apple and the new internal furniture with plants and items in light wood. Certainly, we will have more news about it soon.

Bondi Junction

Finally, Apple announced the temporary closure of Apple Bondi, in Bondi Junction (Sydney suburb, Australia). The store will be closed from the next 24th for renovations, still with no expected date of reopening.

Apple BondiApple Bondi: possibly the first Apple store with trees inside

It is not known whether the works will involve more profound changes in the structure and look of the store, but it is expected that they will bring to Apple Bondi all the news that Apple has introduced to its retail experiences recently. As the store now has an open space and bold architecture, renovations are expected to be faster and not take too long – but we will have to wait and see.

via 9to5Mac: 1, 2