Posted: 5/15/2026 9:00:52 PM EDT
[Last Edit: corwin1968][Edited]
Sounds like Fender is pretty much demanding all companies who make a Strat style guitar stop making and selling them, recall all that have been sent out and destroy them, plus pay Fender a huge fine, plus legal fees. Are we witnessing the self-destruction of the most iconic guitar brand in the world?  Fender Demands Everyone To Stop Making Strats Immediately! |
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| I am not an lawyer but since Fender sent all these companies the letter, it seems like they can all pool resources and tell Fender to fuck off and go to court. Fender could sue each company individually, but that would be a lot of time and money compared to just one lawsuit. It is just a letter threatening a law suit if they don't comply it isn't legally binding. All the companies are facing extinction anyway, just ban together and tell fender to fuck off and raise money to fight it. |
Mach
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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| Didn’t watch the video, but saw another recently that Fender won a lawsuit in Germany that would apply to all of the EU which would prohibit any other guitar manufacturer from making and selling Fender Strat body style guitars. Totally dumb move by Fender, this is the type of stuff that just pisses everyone off and makes them not buy your products. |
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As long as you don't put the name on it I would have thought FSO (Fender Shaped Objects) were public domain now. I mean the classic 50's-70's stuff is very similar and really just basic WW2 tech electronics wise. Intereresting. Anyway, little to no chance I will be buying a Fender, not hating, I love [Bass] Guitars and have 4, but happy with what I have (Warwick, Stingray, Modulus). Maybe there is a FSO in my future but likely will be a modern FSO |
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| IIRC there’s a story I heard that Fender originally didn’t patent the body shape, just the headstock shape. That was one reason they were so easy to copy, just make a change to the headstock. I’ll have to go back and look up the exact details again, but that was the gist of it. |
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Originally Posted By Rbass: IIRC there's a story I heard that Fender originally didn't patent the body shape, just the headstock shape. That was one reason they were so easy to copy, just make a change to the headstock. I'll have to go back and look up the exact details again, but that was the gist of it. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By Rbass: IIRC there’s a story I heard that Fender originally didn’t patent the body shape, just the headstock shape. That was one reason they were so easy to copy, just make a change to the headstock. I’ll have to go back and look up the exact details again, but that was the gist of it. I'm good then. My epiphone strat has the gibson/epiphone hockey stick headstock. Fender can suck my butthole. |
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So... I find comfort in the fact that if Trump has to work so hard to go to Heaven, then there is a shit load of Democrats that have no f-cking chance to go anywhere but HELL. Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer.
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| The lawsuit was Fender suing one of those Chinese copycat companies that sell online in the EU and they won by default judgement because (unsurprisingly) the company was a no-show in court as those guys usually just vanish and pop up a week later online with a new name rather than deal with legal fees and process. Fender somehow got the idea that this was a good foundation for turning it into a copyright for the strat body design in the EU which is hilariously, idiotically dumb. Any legit business telling them to fuck off should put this to bed just like has been done here in the US but with how stupid shit is in the EU these days, I wouldn't dismiss anything just yet. |
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So Fender went full retard and sent a C&D to PRS. This new CEO is working hard to kill an 80 year old icon. A good summery:  A Lawyer explains how Fender just did the dumbest thing possible... |
The road to Hell is paved with presidential candidates.
 My Thoughts On The Fender Controversy |
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It’s not just their guitars. I’m in the market for a new Amp. Fender makes what I’m in the market for. They are now radioactive and I won’t be seen with one. ETA; I know Fender has pulled back a bit on their demands. Tough shit. The damage has been done. Like Gibson it’s easier to sue than to improve quality I guess. |
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Originally Posted By BTccw: Did you know Fender makes Dreadnaught acoustics? Companies that live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Martin should file suit against Fender for making Dreads and calling them such. Just to make a point, I would go buy a Martin tomorrow. For transparency, I may do that anyway. ;) |
Mach
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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Originally Posted By cgrant26: So Fender went full retard and sent a C&D to PRS. This new CEO is working hard to kill an 80 year old icon. A good summery:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUIRZz5BbUY|17Fender is screwing the pooch, they are vet well like and thought of, they are making a huge mistake. I hope it costs them dearly. |
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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Fender seems to have shot themselves in the foot with this. Consider that Fender also makes their own copies (Squier) and distributes copies from Charvel, etc. I have several "real" Fenders as well as "copies" including a G&L strat (how can a guitar made by Leo be a fake/copy?) and a Schecter Tele. Personally, I think Fender quality has dropped from where it used to be, and this is prompted by MBA-nonmusicians. |
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