I did a bad thing

[StuartF70]

There are some really nice drum kits on Facebook marketplace………
I wonder if Vanessa would be okay with it?

[kamikos]

@StuartF70

There are some really nice drum kits on Facebook marketplace………
I wonder if Vanessa would be okay with it?

Could always go e-drums. Much quieter and can be played with headphones. Can also use the USB or MIDI out to a PC or audio interface for recording or playing things like Clone Hero. The new Slopsmith is working on drum integration as well. Don’t quite have that same feel, but it’s not bad.

[kamikos]

@JustTim

What really weakens Fender’s position is that people have been making Stratocaster clones for… YEARS without action from Fender. That could be taken as legal acceptance of the practice; you can’t un-ring a bell or put the genie back in the bottle. That they let it happen could be taken as implied permission.

So yeah, kinda shitty for Fender to throw a legal fit NOW.

From my understanding the body design patent expired in 1968 or so and it’s been essentially “generic” since then, as deemed by the US courts in 2009 when they lost trying to fight it. They essentially even copied the headstock shape they’re so proud of now from Paul Bigsby. What it comes down to for me, is that 60 years ago they may have had a leg to stand on, but not now. They’re also just morons in trying to protect sales via legal means instead of actually fixing the issues their customers have been telling them for decades with regard to quality control and requested features. It’s basically just a money grab by idiots that assume (maybe correctly?) that their past legend status will tide them over the massive PR slump this is going to cause.

[howard]

I can respect companies that aggressively defend their IP from day one and try and protect their investments in to R&D.

That’s not what this is. This is the sad flailing of a company that’s got nothing besides their brand name and the basic four instruments they have been making for 75 years, all of which have been eclipsed, often by better versions of the same basic idea.

[Gloucestre]

@kamikos

protect sales via legal means instead of actually fixing the issues their customers have been telling them for decades with regard to quality control and requested features

This, I hate to admit it but if I can get a perfect instrument posted to me in Australia from China for $200 rather than $1200-2000 in a shop I will take the more affordable option.
And yes I know the opposing arguments, but cost of living and market forces etc.

@howard

I can respect companies that aggressively defend their IP from day one and try and protect their investments in to R&D

This is important especially when “aggressive” Gibson is brought into the conversation. My understanding is that to keep their copyright/trademark protection they have to be active in defending it. This is the fundamental difference.
There are also the precedent arguments from late attempted legal efforts by Fender in the USA, discussed elsewhere which have essentially said “yeah, nah” to their claims.