A snowball's chance in...

[vector]

Uh-oh.. The cat is almost out of the bag.

As a big Hamer fan/player, I can't help but wonder how that's gonna turn out. I'm sure that's gotta be a major thorn in Gibson's side as Hamer IMO, makes better versions of Gibby axes than Gibson does...

I dig some of Hamer's head stocks, especially the hockey stick versions on the Standards, Californians and Chapparals, which begs the question- how are they able to get away with that?!?!:think: And more importantly- will they make me a Star with a reversed Standard's head stock?

[Tekky]

BTW, since Fender now owns Kaman (who owns Hamer), isn't that technically breaking the "gentleman's" agreement since one of Fenders subsidiaries is copying a Gibson product?

Uh-oh.. The cat is almost out of the bag.

[Chad]

I've always found it interesting how Hamer is able to make Standards & Vectors (Explorer and Flying Vee copies) without any problems. I've "heard" Hamer pays a licensing fee to Gibson to be able to do such, but would like to know for sure. Anybody got more info on that? I wonder why other builders don't pay a licensing fee and do the same?

BTW, since Fender now owns Kaman (who owns Hamer), isn't that technically breaking the "gentleman's" agreement since one of Fenders subsidiaries is copying a Gibson product?

[Devotee]

What Mat said. If either of the two companies break the agreement then the world will end.

[MetalHeadMat]

Can someone explain to me why another company can't legally copy a Gibson or Fender design?

Its makes no sense, the patents for those guitars already expired :think:

Am I missing something?

Yes, Fender and Gibson have a "Gentleman's agreement" which basically means Fender can't use Gibson shapes, and Gibson can't use Fender shapes.

[Chad]

Don't know if those headstock designs are actually registered trademarks, but this is a trademark issue, not patent. Those headstocks are representative of Fender, Gibson, etc. If another company creates a headstock that creates "a likelihood of confusion" among consumers as to whether the product is from the originating company or not, then there's grounds for a lawsuit.

That's the basics of it, but I'm not an attorney...perhaps somebody better informed can chime in.

[Hellbat]

Walt Disney first drew mickey Mouse in 1928 and Walt died in 1966. Try and sell a bunch of shirts with Mickey Mouse on them and let us know how that works out for you. Corporations were created to leach money off of people's legacies long after they are dust, since individual rights don't last as long. Welcome to capatalism comrade!

[3reach]

Can someone explain to me why another company can't legally copy a Gibson or Fender design?

Its makes no sense, the patents for those guitars already expired :think:

Am I missing something?

[SixstringKing]

Looks good! What about the jackson logo like on the Adrian Smith sig model? Ever consider that logo?

[SixstringKing]

Didn't a few of Mark Morton's Dominion aka Black Beauty got through with it? I recall asking through Piney Hills about it and they said it'll still need Mark's approval tho.

That's what I was told, the artist needed to approve (sign off) on any changes made to his sig. model. I needed Phil's blessing for my reverse headstock PC1.

[vector]

Print screen>paste into an art program>save

Got it. Jeez I feel stoopid- I read an old thread and followed the advice but was obviously doing something wrong. However, it's all good as you can clearly see- and yeah, the hs sez Jackson because it's gonna be a neck-thru. Charvel apparently doesn't do those.

[MetalHeadMat]

But I do like the idea of a reversed Strat hs on the Star and have whipped up a design in Guitar Generator. Now if I could find a way to save/attach it.

Print screen>paste into an art program>save

[Nidec]

Good luck getting that done. No artist similar custom orders, no trademarked artwork allowed.

Didn't a few of Mark Morton's Dominion aka Black Beauty got through with it? I recall asking through Piney Hills about it and they said it'll still need Mark's approval tho.

[Ward]

That reference was intended

I thought so, but I couldn't resist...

[vector]

Good luck getting that done. No artist similar custom orders, no trademarked artwork allowed.

Sully

But I do like the idea of a reversed Strat hs on the Star and have whipped up a design in Guitar Generator. Now if I could find a way to save/attach it.