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Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

#201
ggunn said:
I am not here to debate whether there is some ethical or moral dilemma on the line, but rather if there is a statute on the books which establishes such an activity to be a crime. I don't believe that to be the case. Show me and I will stand corrected.
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I think it all boils down to this.

Fender has taken some legal measures to protect their financial interests. If what someone does with a fake decal has no effect on Fender's income, why should Fender care and/or persue legal action.

Fender is not out one thin dime if someone sticks a fake Fender decal on a used instrument and sells it. Fender has lost nothing, and that's why they don't waste their time and money going after $0 loss.

Otoh, if someone is making fake Fender products and labeling them as real Fender parts, Fender stands to lose income and will likely prosecute to protect their interests.

90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. The how's and why's of the bashing and judging are endless, and Fender couldn't care less because they aren't financially affected.
 
#203
I made a parts bass a few months ago and bought a neck on ebay for it which had a Fender decal already on it. I didn't buy it for the logo, it just happened to be posted for a good price when I was looking for a neck and had the right dimensions. The seller specifically said that it was a Squier neck and since it looks decent I haven't bothered sanding it off. No point giving it a Squier decal either since the body isn't from a Squier. I'm not planning to sell it on but if I ever do I'll list it as what it is and if anyone ever asks about it I'll tell them.

I wonder though if something like this ever is sold on by an honest seller if some sort of disclaimer might provide some protection. Reminding anyone that might buy it that passing it off as a Fender is illegal etc. Anyone know if that'd help?
 
#204
GlennW said:
I think it all boils down to this.

Fender has taken some legal measures to protect their financial interests. If what someone does with a fake decal has no effect on Fender's income, why should Fender care and/or persue legal action.

Fender is not out one thin dime if someone sticks a fake Fender decal on a used instrument and sells it. Fender has lost nothing, and that's why they don't waste their time and money going after $0 loss.

Otoh, if someone is making fake Fender products and labeling them as real Fender parts, Fender stands to lose income and will likely prosecute to protect their interests.

90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. The how's and why's of the bashing and judging are endless, and Fender couldn't care less because they aren't financially affected.
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I agree with all the above. Whether or not Fender chooses to pursue litigation against you to protect their trademark is up to them, but even if they do, and even if they win, it would be a civil action, not a criminal prosecution. Fender is not in a position to decide whether or not an activity is illegal.
 
#205
GlennW said:
I think it all boils down to this.

Fender has taken some legal measures to protect their financial interests. If what someone does with a fake decal has no effect on Fender's income, why should Fender care and/or persue legal action.

Fender is not out one thin dime if someone sticks a fake Fender decal on a used instrument and sells it. Fender has lost nothing, and that's why they don't waste their time and money going after $0 loss.

Otoh, if someone is making fake Fender products and labeling them as real Fender parts, Fender stands to lose income and will likely prosecute to protect their interests.

90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. The how's and why's of the bashing and judging are endless, and Fender couldn't care less because they aren't financially affected.
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Yup. Fender cares about selling new instruments. They don't give a crap what we do with the old ones.

Switching parts, re-labeling necks (even non-Fender ones) means absolutely nothing to Fender.
 
#206
Wow. Thirty plus years after refinishing my bass, this thread has gotten me thinking whether I should finish it off with the logo. I kinda like the anonymity, truth be told.

Pbasshead.jpg
 
#211
GlennW said:
I think it all boils down to this.

...

90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. The how's and why's of the bashing and judging are endless, and Fender couldn't care less because they aren't financially affected.
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Hmmmm. :-/ I respectfully submit that you may not have such accurate powers of discernment regarding peoples motives?

For me, and the statement I made a few pages back, I still stand by it. I respect others' intellectual property. Sure, that's not a super popular stand in this day & age- but the thorough lack of it sure has made it harder to make a living in our vocation. No?
 
#213
GlennW said:
90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. The how's and why's of the bashing and judging are endless, and Fender couldn't care less because they aren't financially affected.
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90%? Really?

Here's some data from the same study: 100% of the people who put counterfeit logos on their cheap guitars are
A) Poseurs trying like hell to fool not only others, but themselves.
B) Finks trying to fraudulently pass off a cheap guitar to an unwitting buyer.



Fake Rolex, fake Gucci, fake Fender. All fake goods for fake people.
 
#215
smcd said:
90%? Really?

Here's some data from the same study: 100% of the people who put counterfeit logos on their cheap guitars are
A) Poseurs trying like hell to fool not only others, but themselves.
B) Finks trying to fraudulently pass off a cheap guitar to an unwitting buyer.
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Thanks for supporting my point. :D
 
#219
smcd said:
90%? Really?

Here's some data from the same study: 100% of the people who put counterfeit logos on their cheap guitars are
A) Poseurs trying like hell to fool not only others, but themselves.
B) Finks trying to fraudulently pass off a cheap guitar to an unwitting buyer.

Fake Rolex, fake Gucci, fake Fender. All fake goods for fake people.
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"here's some data from the same study" hilarious! 8)
 

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