Verdict in Gibson v. Dean trademark case

[David Houck]

For those of you interested in the case in which Gibson sued Dean Guitars for trademark infringement over guitar body and peghead shapes, the jury has reached a verdict.  You can read about it here:

https://guitar.com/news/industry-news/dean-guilty-trademark-infringement-and-counterfeiting-gibson-flying-v-case/

[edwardofhuncote]

Soooo... a jury awarded $4000 bucks and a "y'all knock it off with the knock-offs".


Or am I missing something? 

[lbpesq]

The article is a little confusing.  It would seem the award might be $4000 for each violation (Flying V copy is one violation, SG copy is another, etc.).  Not to be overlooked is that it would likely allow Gibson to force Dean (and others) to cease and desist producing such copies in the future.

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

The article is a little confusing.  It would seem the award might be $4000 for each violation (Flying V copy is one violation, SG copy is another, etc.). 

I was wondering it was that, or $4K for each individual knock-off instrument (which would a whole 'nother smoke).

Not to be overlooked is that it would likely allow Gibson to force Dean (and others) to cease and desist producing such copies in the future.

Bill, tgo

Yeah, I was thinking that was the big thing there.


And what about the Dean models that are the upper bouts of an SG or Explorer & the lower bouts of a V?  Does this affect them?

But I loved how both parties crowed about their great victory........

Peter

[edwardofhuncote]

Upon re-reading, I think they mean $4000 for each model of which the pattern was copied, rather than every single one produced. So that's what... $12-16K ? (3 or 4 models, I ain't really clear...)

I think if anybody, the lawyers won this one. (with all deference to lawyers here...)

~Gregory (who can't tell you how many banjos he inlaid Gibson in the headstock of, regardless of provenance... i mean, they had some Gibson parts... sure...)

[lbpesq]

I think if anybody, the lawyers won this one. (with all deference to lawyers here...)

Not if Gibson’s attorneys took the case on contingency.

Bill, tgo