Tortious Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Suing the fuck outta other companies when their case is shaky at best. Dean has been making V and Explorer shaped guitars since the mid 70's. So have a lot of other makers. Some probably had an understanding/agreement with Gibson, I highly doubt all of them did. Apparently this started in the Henry era, but I suspect Gibson will maybe get a hometown decision at best like they got with the PRS Singlecut, then lose badly on appeal. Or just lose outright. https://guitar.com/news/industry-news/gibson-sues-dean-guitars-trademark-infringement/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Suing another company might just be a way to raise money Gibson has lost. The end of the article has this interesting line. Quote Gibson has requested a jury trial to resolve the case. If there are guitar players on the jury, especially in Texas, Gibson is going to lose. ZZ Top and Pantera fans will know the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbonesullivan Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Doesn't owning a trademark require that they have taken action to defend it? Waiting after 40 years of Dean guitars to do this doesn't really seem to fit the bill. Also, the headstock comparison is total BS. I would love to see how this plays out in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BubbaVO Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Never know what a jury will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortious Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Maybe I should buy a traincar full of low end import Dean V's and Z's, wait 8-10 years, then start selling them as 'lawsuit era' and therefore commanding a hefty premium! 🕺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diablo175 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 https://guitar.com/news/industry-news/gibson-sues-dean-guitars-trademark-infringement/?fbclid=IwAR2h-gJrCmXozlQiTR-zPSuMxR9FsvB_Isok4jP7QC4QTc8hxPG4L4kz5yk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrdaddy Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Unreal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynic Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Apparently there was a (since deleted) video put out by the guy that came from Norman's Rare Guitars that is now a Gibson muckity-muck suggesting they were going to start going after everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTMN Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Wait! These aren't Gibbers??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I guess Gibson, Inc. didn't learn from its suit against PRS. They are going to lose this one, too. That's a shame, because all the money they spend in legal fees would be much better invested in the continuing reorg or the company. I'm going to be watching this one with great interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 https://www.musicradar.com/news/gibson-issues-threat-to-rival-guitar-builders-you-have-been-warned-were-here-to-protect-our-iconic-legacy?utm_content=bufferd9f4a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer_gfb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I know that Hamer started as a 'better Gibson', but, fuck Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studio Custom Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Gibson is presenting the long game, but likely wanting to settle early. Asking for a jury trial creates the illusion Gibson wants to drag this out to the end of the earth, while a company like Dean may not have the financial wherewithal to defend such a suit,. Gibson is probably hoping the bluster will force Dean to cave early, agree to stop copying the designs and to pay a nominal cost ($100,000) to for past sins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 11 hours ago, BTMN said: Wait! These aren't Gibbers??? Dude those are badass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomicwash Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 And what about Gibson copies of the Strat? https://www.quora.com/Does-Gibson-make-a-Strat-style-model-or-does-Fender-make-a-Les-Paul-style-model-guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Did the PRS suit ever come down to a jury trial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTMN Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 12 hours ago, BTMN said: Wait! These aren't Gibbers??? 1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said: Dude those are badass! Left to Right Late 90s Czech made Korina V, 1996 USA made Korina Z, 2004 Korean made ML, 1996 USA made bolt neck Z and 1996 USA V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTMN Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 22 minutes ago, RobB said: Did the PRS suit ever come down to a jury trial? https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-6th-circuit/1362636.html?fbclid=IwAR1UJEJtLEtsZ4uErsNiyBkJoHFMM6-nsUWr35gridyN8W8NfbhSnqvH-Bo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polara Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 That's a tough row to hoe, convincing a jury that: Even though most guitars are shaped like Marilyn Monroe and either have one scoop or two scoops (non-guitarist language, bear with me) Gibson's "one scoop" is uniquely theirs... also this "pointy rocket" shape (okay, now the jury is interested)... Gibson has been either so sack-of-gravel stopid that they never noticed Dean, et al making "one scoops" and "pointy rocket" guitars for forty years, OR it didn't damage their profitability all that time... and, After Dean's defense attorney shows about 50 flash cards of"one scoop" and "pointy rocket" guitars to a Gibson witness, with production dates, and asked said witness to list the legal actions taken, Gibson still is right. "("Wow. Everyone has been making pointy rockets and one scoops for decades. Doesn't seem so unique.") As a marketing guy, I'd have quite publicly done the "Gibson is back, we're humble, we're making the guitars people love. We're gonna talk about copies. Imitation is the sincerest of flattery, and love ya'll at Dean, etc. But we do ask that you find your muse, like we found ours, and make the best damn Deans you can, but let us make the best damn Vs we can." (Accompanied by grainy footage of Les and Mary, Page, Clapton, etc.) Be the good guys on the side of the consumer, and put the competition on the defensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjammin308 Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 I had such high hopes for the new management. Sigh..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 The more things change...... ETA.......The single cut guitars PRS has made since settlement of that lawsuit just keep getting better and better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Do the people running Gibson have any friends in the musical instrument industry? Do they have any friends left? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 What, like drinking buddies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Actually, yes. The people at competing companies have had friendships many times over the last century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 23 minutes ago, Steve Haynie said: Actually, yes. The people at competing companies have had friendships many times over the last century. That’s what trade shows are for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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