Originally Posted By DADGAD:
Are we supposed to be upset that he is a few English credits away from a degree? All of the cease and desist stuff is obviously bullshit, but I am not sure that his lack of credits has anything to do with that.

Originally Posted By DADGAD:
So what if the guy thought he had enough credits, or even if he was bullshitting. What he is doing with Fender is fully worthy of all the backlash he is getting, but bullshitting a degree is not even a blip on my radar for shit that matters in this world.

I actually had a girlfriend whose mother was a fully tenured professor at University of Michigan, and she confided in me that she was two credits short of her PhD. Her degree was actually her career, and she had people call her Dr. XXXXXXX, and I didn't even care then.

The Fender Stratocaster's original design patents have expired. In the US, the body shape is considered public domain, but Fender protects its proprietary headstock shape using trademarks. Recently, Fender won a landmark ruling in Germany, securing copyright protection for the body as a work of applied art in the EU.

Copyright (Artistic Works): Does not protect functional product shapes. Copyrights only protect original, artistic, or creative expressions (like a 3D sculpture). While a sculpture of a character is copyrighted, that copyright won't stop someone from using the same shape on a T-shirt if it creates brand confusion.


Design Patent: Protects the aesthetic look and feel of a functional item, such as the specific visual design of a new chair or car, distinct from its function.


U.S. design patents filed on or after May 13, 2015, last for 15 years from the date the patent is granted. Design patents applied for before that date last for 14 years from the date of grant. Unlike utility patents, design patents cannot be renewed and do not require maintenance fees

The Fender Stratocaster's original design patents have expired. In the US, the body shape is considered public domain, but Fender protects its proprietary headstock shape using trademarks. Recently, Fender won a landmark ruling in Germany, securing copyright protection for the body as a work of applied art in the EU

Yes, EU copyright protection is valid in the US. Under the Berne Convention, works created in the EU automatically receive copyright protection in the US from the moment of creation, without needing formal registration. However, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is required before filing an infringement lawsuit.While protection is automatic, there are a few key differences and requirements to keep in mind:The Registration Rule: While US citizens must register before suing, the Berne Convention allows non-US citizens to file an infringement lawsuit in U.S. courts without prior registration.Statutory Damages: To be eligible for statutory damages and attorney fees in a US lawsuit, foreign creators generally must register their work within three months of publication.Duration: Both the US and the EU generally protect standard copyrighted works for the life of the author plus 70 years

Originally Posted By Mach:
Fender needs to fire this guy before he destroys the company and Fender's market share.

Originally Posted By hamb0ne:
It’s a damn shame.  My American Standard Precision bass is absolutely perfect - paired with an Ampeg head and cabinet, it achieves the tone I wanted when I decided I wanted to play bass.

But I was done with that company when I learned they partnered with Tom Morello to produce some trash can guitar dedicated to the homeless.  If I ever have to replace this bass, I would be hard pressed to give Fender more of my money.