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

[stoopicus]

They really really want to go the way of Sears-Roebuck.

[Gamma-UT]

They really really want to go the way of Sears-Roebuck.

I think they've sent a clear message their business is in deep, deep trouble. You only go full patent troll (I know it's not patents in this case, but it's the same MO) when you don't have a real business left.

Their "pro" lawyers can't even get the date right on the C&D. It's written as 11-05-2016 on the letter shown by KDH (about four and a half minutes in). Plus the photo of the "copycat" guitar which actually has a different backplate design to the real one is just the cherry on the cake. It's not very different but it is clearly different to the example presented to the German court.

As one commenter pointed out under the KDH video, it looks as though they picked on some no-mark manufacturer who they guessed wouldn't turn up to get a default judgment that they could wield as a weapon against smaller companies who just can't afford to defend an action directly.

KDH also points out these same lawyers reckon each defendant should pay their legal costs up-front (which makes me wonder whether they're getting paid by Fender or got Fender management to greenlight this action as a revenue-split/no-win-no-fee arrangement).

[Sascha Franck]

I actually hope this will fire back as bad as possible. They could as well go bankrupt, I wouldn't care.
There's better Strats, better amps and better DAWs anyway.

[The Noodlist]

I don't think Fender's ploy will increase their market share. They might be better off trying to "use on license" their shapes. I agree with the headstock shape licensing.

[BertKoor]

[edit] wrong thread

[tapper mike]

There's better Strats, better amps and better DAWs anyway.

Better is sometimes a matter of personal preference.

For the most part I like my Fender Stratocaster though not a fan of the pups. I'll survive Someday I might replace them. Way back when I had a great stratocaster and it was considerably more expensive based on market value. I've had a few strat type guitars which some were great some were awful but none were me.

I like the company I don't like the direction the CEO wants to take it. We've seen it all before with Gibson. It failed miserably with Gibson and hopefully there will be something left of Fender after this CEO gets axed

I probably wont be buying another stratocaster or telecaster or copy thereof . I'm done chasing them and I'm almost done chasing guitars. Funny how some people buy guitars for life and just play those same guitars forever.

As for those who want a reasonably priced alternative with higher quality of build than fender is willing to produce I do feel sorry for them if Fender gets it's way. I also feel sorry for smaller brands that will be cut out of the market entirely.

[Uncle E]

Strats are cheesy.

[tapper mike]

Send more Whine

[Uncle E]

[Cuauhtli]

Whose bright idea was it? The lawyers have the most to gain (and nothing to lose).

Still waiting for PRS to trademark/copyright his magical tonewood.

[mystran]

There's some speculation around that this might be a case of Fender not doing so well financially...
https://yamahamusicians.com/fender-the- ... e-letters/

[Cuauhtli]

Yeah, I had seen stories that the tariffs really screwed them but they've been in decline for some time. Or should I say they haven't stepped up their game while the competition has as far as quality.

[ksandvik]

Don’t know if becoming a patent troll is a good business idea, rather than innovating new products…

[The Noodlist]

An interest read. Those pesky tariffs...
https://yamahamusicians.com/fender-the- ... e-letters/

[VladK]

Reminds me of NI - they were also owned by private equity who saw them as cash cow instead of investment.
BTW, even Steinway, which is considered by Paulson as investment, also tried the litigation route against independent shops and rebuilders.