Fender just won a major court ruling in Germany protecting the shape of the Fender Stratocaster

[JohnnyGtar]

The decision covers the entire European Union

 

[VonBonfire]

Heard about that. When you can no longer grow your business through innovations, sue someone. This seems to be a gateway ruling that could lead to funneling all sales into a few specific brands, at least, within the US. Kalimera my friend I hope you are well today.

 

[Floyd Eye]

They only sue a Chinese company that won’t or can’t defend themselves. And the EU is a joke.

 

[Findthetone1]

Must be their way of making sure people play...AUTHENTIC

 

[VonBonfire]

They only sue a Chinese company that won’t or can’t defend themselves. And the EU is a joke.

I don't think the Chinese really care about copyrights or patents but I suppose it would prevent them from exporting their knockoff strats here legally.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I don't think the Chinese really care about copyrights or patents but I suppose it would prevent them from exporting their knockoff strats here legally.

Not here. In Europe. Fender abandoned their rights here decades ago.

 

[Floyd Eye]

If you don’t enforce it, you lose it. Fender and Gibson both lost it decades ago.

And Chinese companies aren’t going to stop selling that shit in Europe. Fender is fucking stupid.

 

[BABMusic]

I personally don't like or agree with having any company owning a shape to a musical instrument, including the headstock. You never hear piano companies suing another piano company or a cello maker suing another cello. Instead of focusing on improving their quality or features, they just focus on trying to prevent others from using a shape.

It's kind of pointless though because there's nothing that can stop Japanese guitars being made with a Strat headstock and being sold to Japanese customers. Those customers then list the guitars on Reverb or Ebay. I personally know this because I look at recent listings of Edwards guitars.

 

[VonBonfire]

I personally know this because I look at recent listings of Edwards guitars.

Lol, same. I have two Edwards and a couple other guys down in San Antonio I'm friends with have like a half dozen of their LP's.

 

[thegame]

A world with fewer Strats? Give that decision maker a nobel prize please

 

[Alpha Stryke]

Don't live in Germany frawline

 

[JohnnyGtar]

Don't live in Germany frawline

It's a big world.

 

[BABMusic]

I didn't catch this the first time, but Fender was arguing that their guitar bodies were a work of art, and that was their basis for the lawsuit. So stupid and pointless. Fender cannot control the whole world.

 

[stratjacket]

I guess companies could use AI to design their strat so it becomes a new “work of art”. Seems to work for songs…

 

[Alpha Stryke]

It's a big world.

No not really. Depends who you ask.

 

[VonBonfire]

I didn't catch this the first time, but Fender was arguing that their guitar bodies were a work of art, and that was their basis for the lawsuit. So stupid and pointless. Fender cannot control the whole world.

They are just another POS megacorp now.

 

[Kagami]

Nobody there even has any credit to the shape so they shouldn't be able to take credit for it now.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Anyway, not a major court ruling at all. Seems Fender wanted to make it seem bigger than it is. It’s a default judgement, not based on merit at all. It pretty much only affects Jet. Seems Fender is only interested in filing suit against a company they know won’t defend themselves, thinking they can use the default judgement as a cudgel to threaten other, mostly Chinese companies. Who will simply ignore them.


What a joke.