Gibson “you have been warned”

[48thStreetCustom]

apologies if this has already been posted about. It seems like a pretty big deal.

Gibson issues threat to rival guitar builders: "You have been warned; we're here to protect our iconic legacy" | MusicRadar

 

[user362432]

Obviously, their sale are not going as expected.

 

[TolerancEJ]

It's not uncommon. Fender and Rickenbacker are both quick to send Cease & Desist letters.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

It's not uncommon. Fender and Rickenbacker are both quick to send Cease & Desist letters.

Isn't there like a zillion companies that make Fender knockoffs?

 

[TolerancEJ]

Is there like a zillion companies that make Fender knockoffs?

True. They seem to be more focused if the headstock is similar to their designs.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Agnesi is repellant, I cannot stand the guy...

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Agnesi is repellant, I cannot stand the guy...

I like his NRG videos. Super informative. But this? not sure how I feel. I get the whole intellectual property thing, but at this point I think it's probably too late to put that genie back in the bottle. Or closing the barn door after the horse already loose. Or whatever that old metaphor is.

 

[Mustang Surly]

 

[HubbardsFate]

"In related news, ammunition manufacturers worldwide are struggling to keep up with the demand placed upon them by Gibson Guitars, a company that insists on shooting itself in the foot at every opportunity..."

 

[48thStreetCustom]

"In related news, ammunition manufacturers worldwide are struggling to keep up with the demand placed upon them by Gibson Guitars, a company that insists on shooting itself in the foot at every opportunity..."

Kinda feels like the Metalica/Netscape affair.

 

[Biffa]

I like his NRG videos. Super informative. But this? not sure how I feel. I get the whole intellectual property thing, but at this point I think it's probably too late to put that genie back in the bottle. Or closing the barn door after the horse already loose. Or whatever that old metaphor is.

It's un spilling the milk

 

[farace]

I'm not an attorney, but it's my understanding that protecting one's trade dress needs to be something a company has done relentlessly and consistently. This is why Rickenbacker has always been so diligent. One cannot be lackadaisical for decades and then suddenly decide that no one else can shape a guitar like a Les Paul. The thing they have going for them, right or wrong, is that they can still try, and they can bring lawsuits, and the threat of legal fees will either bankrupt smaller makers, or cause them to back down. Gibson doesn't have to be right, or have a legal leg to stand on, they just have to be able to inflict severe financial damage.

 

[Joebone]

I'm not an attorney, but it's my understanding that protecting one's trade dress needs to be something a company has done relentlessly and consistently. This is why Rickenbacker has always been so diligent. One cannot be lackadaisical for decades and then suddenly decide that no one else can shape a guitar like a Les Paul. The thing they have going for them, right or wrong, is that they can still try, and they can bring lawsuits, and the threat of legal fees will either bankrupt smaller makers, or cause them to back down. Gibson doesn't have to be right, or have a legal leg to stand on, they just have to be able to inflict severe financial damage.

Capitalism, red in tooth and claw!

 

[seilerbird]

Kinda feels like the Metalica/Netscape affair.

More like the Metalica/Napster affair.

 

[cnltb]

is there a problem?

 

[48thStreetCustom]

More like the Metalica/Napster affair.

You know what I meant.

 

[mcnach]

You know what I meant.

He did, others did, but many might not. Glad someone still tries to give accurate information around here and that nobody gets upset when corrected

 

[40Hz]

I get the feeling that Agnesi probably shot his mouth off above his pay grade by posting that video - as evidenced by the fact it's since been pulled.

Perhaps he's having trouble understanding that individuals in large corporations, regardless of their title, don't just go around issuing semi-deranged legal threats without clearing it first. But that's hardly surprising considering his previous job was as a salesman and video blogger for Norm's Rare Guitars.

I'm guessing he won't be working for Gibson much longer in the wake of that gaffe. There will be the token contrite apology video where he'll try to "clarify" what he really meant. But the damage is already done.

Hard to be Director of Brand Experience now that you just alienated the entire guitar world with an ill considered public announcement I doubt Gibson would have sanctioned had they known in advance.

Besides, the guy is a total ass. Bye-bye Mark. No loss.

 

[SirMjac28]

 

[Rib 13]

It's not uncommon. Fender and Rickenbacker are both quick to send Cease & Desist letters.

^ +1....beat me to it.....

PROS: this is non-news veiled as a gasp/OMG moment....if anything, its a smart business move by Gibson....
CONS: A little late,Gibson......Guitar companies have been building FlyingVs, Explorers, SGs and other Gibson designs since the 60s and 70s, some with decent success (like Dean and Hamer), and ya wait til 2019 to do this?