Name changing method, information processing apparatus and network system

The present invention is a method for changing a device identification name of an information processing apparatus to which the device identification name is added for identification by a user. First, a device identification name of other information processing apparatus connected to a same network is obtained. Next, the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are compared. Further, when the device identification name of the other information processing apparatus and the device identification name of the information processing apparatus are the same, it is judged, according to a predetermined rule set beforehand, whether or not to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus. Then, when it is judged to change the device identification name of the information processing apparatus, the device identification name of the information processing apparatus is changed.