As stated before, the Stratocaster was launched in 1954. That’s 72 years. I’m calling the artistic desig BS because the design has just as much (probably more) to do with function. In this case function completely follows form. A utility patent lasts 20 years. A design patent lasts 15. Im actually quite familiar with this as I worked for 15 years for a company that since its inception hasn’t had true competition. Everything else is a “me too” product waiting for a patent to expire so they can copy it. And the company was always in court because the me too products appeared to spend the majority of their r&d dollars trying to get around a patent.
Even if one doesn’t accept the argument of artistic design, then it begs a new question. What is a Stratocaster artwork. Once again we have to call it artwork because a “design” only carries a 15 year patent.
Are these Stratocasters:
While they are all double cutaways, none of these guitars have the same dimensions as a strat. Nor do they have 3 single pickups. But clearly their body style is similar. I guess I’d like to have a clear answer to “What is a Stratocaster.”
The water is just too muddy on this one.
Obviously the name Fender and Stratocaster should be trademarked and any other guitar manufacturer using those names are in the wrong.
Even if one doesn’t accept the argument of artistic design, then it begs a new question. What is a Stratocaster artwork. Once again we have to call it artwork because a “design” only carries a 15 year patent.
Are these Stratocasters:
While they are all double cutaways, none of these guitars have the same dimensions as a strat. Nor do they have 3 single pickups. But clearly their body style is similar. I guess I’d like to have a clear answer to “What is a Stratocaster.”
The water is just too muddy on this one.
Obviously the name Fender and Stratocaster should be trademarked and any other guitar manufacturer using those names are in the wrong.
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