Fender gain legal protection of the Stratocaster body design in the EU

[The Noodlist]

I think, Fender introduced the Standard series, which are their lowest tier, hoping to get a better grip on the entire market. This would also bridge a gap between more expensive Squier and the cheapest Fender branded models.

The Standard series are more affordable and accessible than before. I believe these models use cheaper materials to meet the price point. Woods like poplar and laurel are associated with the standard series, rather than alder, rosewood and ash.

What does this mean for retailers like Thomann,etc?
Makers such as, Suhr, PRS, G&L, Yamaha, ESP and countless others?
The in-house brands, like Harley Benton, Fazley and J & D Guitars?

https://spotlight.fender.com/newsroom/news/1004
https://www.guitarworld.com/music-indus ... ody-design

[Bombadil]

It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. There are a LOT of Strat copy makers out there.
Will this lead to, for example, Gibson doing the same thing with the LP body? SG? Tele? ES?

[pekbro]

They prob won’t have to make many changes to comply. A bevel here and there. I didn’t read or watch the article though.

[Cuauhtli]

From what I've seen: It was victory by default, the defendants didn't show up for the trial. So I doubt the 'decision' would hold much weight if they actually went to trial, especially against a PRS, etc. that's been using the strat design for years.

I've always heard that the headstock was trademarked, never heard about the body design. In any case, it's an attempt to go after the Chinese manufacturers that are undercutting them.

[tapper mike]

Dammit, had a big long reply during the hardware and software update for the forum. Which meant twice I went through the process hit submit and it went nowhere.

Looks like from now on I'm going to write it all out in notepad for safety reasons.

[Bombadil]

Hate when that happens.

[lfm]

Dammit, had a big long reply during the hardware and software update for the forum. Which meant twice I went through the process hit submit and it went nowhere.

Looks like from now on I'm going to write it all out in notepad for safety reasons.

Just rightclick and select all, and copy to clipboard and you are safe to save away in notepad later if needed or repost.
- not only here, every form out there to fill in on internet can act out like this

[Tubeman]

I think, Fender introduced the Standard series, which are their lowest tier, hoping to get a better grip on the entire market. This would also bridge a gap between more expensive Squier and the cheapest Fender branded models.

The Standard series are more affordable and accessible than before. I believe these models use cheaper materials to meet the price point. Woods like poplar and laurel are associated with the standard series, rather than alder, rosewood and ash.

What does this mean for retailers like Thomann,etc?
Makers such as, Suhr, PRS, G&L, Yamaha, ESP and countless others?
The in-house brands, like Harley Benton, Fazley and J & D Guitars?

https://spotlight.fender.com/newsroom/news/1004
https://www.guitarworld.com/music-indus ... ody-design

It seems your thread title does not match the video content. The video says "A German court of Dusseldorf ruled", which is a city in Germany. It does not mean the whole Germany, EU or Europe. It's just one city in one European country. None of the guitar manufacturers you listed are located in Dusseldorf. I think Fender has been at this at least since the 80s.

[The Noodlist]

It seems your thread title does not match the video content. The video says "A German court of Dusseldorf ruled", which is a city in Germany. It does not mean the whole Germany, EU or Europe. It's just one city in one European country. None of the guitar manufacturers you listed are located in Dusseldorf. I think Fender has been at this at least since the 80s.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany (March 9, 2026) — Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has secured a significant legal victory following a ruling by the Regional Court of Düsseldorf that establishes broad legal protection for Fender’s iconic Stratocaster® guitar body design under German and European copyright law. The decision creates enforceable rights against any guitars using the Stratocaster body shape that are manufactured, sold or distributed into Germany or other countries of the European Union (EU)

https://spotlight.fender.com/newsroom/n ... #newsStory

[Tubeman]

It seems your thread title does not match the video content. The video says "A German court of Dusseldorf ruled", which is a city in Germany. It does not mean the whole Germany, EU or Europe. It's just one city in one European country. None of the guitar manufacturers you listed are located in Dusseldorf. I think Fender has been at this at least since the 80s.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany (March 9, 2026) — Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has secured a significant legal victory following a ruling by the Regional Court of Düsseldorf that establishes broad legal protection for Fender’s iconic Stratocaster® guitar body design under German and European copyright law. The decision creates enforceable rights against any guitars using the Stratocaster body shape that are manufactured, sold or distributed into Germany or other countries of the European Union (EU)

https://spotlight.fender.com/newsroom/n ... #newsStory

a ruling by the Regional Court of Düsseldorf

I just don't see how that's applicable in anywhere outside Germany or even outside the city of Dusseldorf. They can claim it is but it really is not. Every country in Europe has their own legislation and laws and EU wide laws have to pass first each EU member countries' legislations an parliaments. And that is not counting European countries which are not in the EU. Also this might come as a suprise to Americans, but Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, is like USA in that it has states (16) which all have their own legislation.

[ampetrosillo]

People ITT:

I don't understand how civil law works.

There is no outright law of precedent in civil law systems. Yes, a court's decision can have an effect on subsequent trials, but it's not binding in any way. As well as this being a victory by default (so no true discussion).

[CapnLockheed]

Seeing as how the vast majority of Fender Strat copies, (including Fender's own), are made in China and Indonesia, this is a major nothingburger.

[jens]

This is hilarious.


The defendant (who didn't show up) is some Chinese manufacturer (Yiwu Philharmonic Musical Instruments Co.) that sells via Aliexpress. So they didn't go after Thomann/Harley Benton, they didn't go after Musicstore/Fame/Jack&Danny, they didn't go after PRS, they didn't go after Yamaha - heck, they didn't even go after Mooer or so. Instead they went after some obscure Chinese manufacturer that doesn't even sell via local retailers - and now that this obscure defendant didn't even show up, both Fender and their lawyers claim that the verdict in absence would affect all these vendors they didn't have the balls to go after in the first place. This is really beyond absurd and ultra pathetic.

The only real result this lawsuit has is to turn both Fender and the local lawfirm into a laughing stock.

[The Noodlist]

I've also noticed a shocking amount of Fender fakes advertised on dhgate, Ebay and Aliexpress. Not as Fender, obviously. (Chenders like Chibsons )

All shipped from China. The front face of the headstock is not usually shown but the serial on the back can be seen, so can the stamped (fake) Fender neck plate. These outlets would be harder to police.

They'd be better off making an original, non fake, brand. I would never consider purchasing a fake.
You'd just be lying to yourself and anyone unlucky enough to buy it used as a Fender.

There's plenty of similar priced legitimate brands.

[jens]

I've also noticed a shocking amount of Fender fakes advertised on dhgate, Ebay

hm... don't get your point with that tbh - relic finish aside, this looks like a bog-standard tele-with-bindings-style axe - every bigger retailer has got dozens of these on offer ('kay maybe less of those with bindings, but that's not really relevant here or is it?) - so what do you think is special about this particular offer?


By the way: now that I saw this one, I think I NEED to have it. I have one of the strat-style Fusions and it's become my main axe now... fantastic guitar!
(These Wilkinson ones are my most favourite vibratos by the way (never got my hands on a VegaTrem though) - they completely mop the floor with anything Fender - have one of them on my Italia Modulo Tipo 3 as well.)