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Greco Ric Copy - Bite or No?

It probably was Ric, they move pretty fast and don't take any $hit.

I had a new nameplate made for my 4003 out of pearloid and I asked John Hall if it was ok to post pics on the Rickenbacker forum and he told me that even though I made it for my guitar with no intent to defraud etc etc, it was still a breach of copyright and if I posted pics, they would send me a cease and desist order. Ok, no probs.

I can see why people would want a copy Ric but I don't really mind the copies being pulled as I reckon it ensures the value of my 4003.

Just my 2c
 
Technically it's trademark infringement, but as soon as they see it, they contact ebay, and it gets pulled, no matter where it originates.

Ebay has to abide by the laws, and the law sides with RIC, who has to shut these down in order to maintain their rights of ownership.
Ask Fender & Gibson how hard it is to try and regain those rights in the eyes of the law once you let them slide.

If you want a copy via ebay you have to hit the BIN before the plug gets pulled or hope the auction is a short two day affair and falls on a weekend.
 
You have to try to get contact info before the listing gets pulled, or at least remember the seller's ID and do a search.
They probably have other things for sale, or have had recently.

They may try to relist it, but it may not work.
Not sure if ebay actually can block these, or if RIC has to shut them down again and again.
 
No it would be copyright. Trademark is a name/phrase/motto. Copyright is the product in question, and the right to make a copy of the physical product. This thing had "Grecoguitars" not "Rickenbacker", but looked and was designed exactly like a Rickenbacker 4001S. Therefore, there would be no break of trademark. It would be copyright.



(Sorry, I had to. :D)


but yeah.....This really sucks.....:(
 
Is there any problem with owning a ric copy with a rick TRC? I assume not but I don't know copyright laws. Also if you had a Greco with all Ric hardware/electronics would you notice the difference from a pic? No measurements or first hand inspection, just a pic. Outside of the fretboard being rosewood instead of padauk.
 
No it would be copyright. Trademark is a name/phrase/motto. Copyright is the product in question, and the right to make a copy of the physical product. This thing had "Grecoguitars" not "Rickenbacker", but looked and was designed exactly like a Rickenbacker 4001S. Therefore, there would be no break of trademark. It would be copyright.

(Sorry, I had to. :D)

but yeah.....This really sucks.....:(

Nope ... No ... No way ... it is NOT a copyright ... it is a trademark issue.

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lol, brilliant. Why don't you guys just email the links to these auctions directly to RIC for them to shut down?

btw this is trademark, not copyright. Trademark includes shapes and designs of products. Copyright is for printed material and media stuff.
 
lol, brilliant. Why don't you guys just email the links to these auctions directly to RIC for them to shut down?.


0.0

crap. I never thought about people from RIC being on here....


(btw, I mean absolutely no offense to anyone from RIC who might have read my "Stupid copyright hounds" comment. Nothing personal, but even you must admit that the crackdown gets a bit ridiculous after a while.)


I guess I won't post about a RIC copy anymore. I'll just PM about it.... :D
 
Nothing personal, but even you must admit that the crackdown gets a bit ridiculous after a while.

Not really. They have to chase down every instance of trademark infringement and serve a cease and desist order. If they let that guy get away with it, then someone else then another etc etc, eventually the guy that starts making them and flogging them on eBay will have a pretty valid argument in court - "why shut me down when Ric didn't shut down those other sellers".

You'll notice you can buy Fender clones, of any model, badged under a million different names, anywhere. That's because they didn't do what Rickenbacker do now :)
 
Not really. They have to chase down every instance of trademark infringement and serve a cease and desist order. If they let that guy get away with it, then someone else then another etc etc, eventually the guy that starts making them and flogging them on eBay will have a pretty valid argument in court - "why shut me down when Ric didn't shut down those other sellers".

You'll notice you can buy Fender clones, of any model, badged under a million different names, anywhere. That's because they didn't do what Rickenbacker do now :)


No, I mean old copies made 40 years ago. That makes no sense to me. What's done is done. I totally agree with going after infringers that are trying to copy it in modern times, but what does it accomplish to shut down an auction for one made 4 decades ago??? :p
 
No, I mean old copies made 40 years ago. That makes no sense to me. What's done is done. I totally agree with going after infringers that are trying to copy it in modern times, but what does it accomplish to shut down an auction for one made 4 decades ago??? :p

I can only assume it's the same legal argument. Maybe there's no statute of limitations on trademark infringement :confused:
 
i bet these "s" copies are really rare-i would love to find one and make a 50's model 4000 out of it....something i would be cautious about doing to an actual ric! i kind of like the rosewood fb,looks like it is unfinished,too,which would be different.
 

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