Enough with the knock-offs!

[Benjamin]

I figure you all won't mind me saying this here, rather than over at Ric forum. It's a little rant, but worth it. If it needs to be moved to another place, by all means remove it.

When is Rickenbacker International Corp going to be able to stamp out once and for all the HORRIBLE GHASTLY HORRIBLE Rockinbetter and Rebelrocker "copies" and end the Chinese practice of "imitate-rather-poorly"?!?!

A local music store, who I was loyal to, have been selling these knockoff guitars and now basses for over 12 months. I try not to shop there now out of principle. I know the owner, haven't yet decided whether or not to ask him WHY?!? Sad that I feel they have sold out. I mean, sell some budget instruments for sure. But sell instruments that are clearly the most blatantly flagrant of copyright law ever seen? Most, if not all other copies these days are licensed right!

So I happened to be travelling for work, a couple of hours from home. Needed strings for my acoustic guitar, so I popped into another shop. GASP... MORE BAD COPIES of guitars and basses. Lack of greeting/acknowledgement of my presence in the shop aside, I walked out without buying said strings. I took a look at the black bass and was shocked.

We all remember the original knock-offs. We will all admit that a small number were reasonable instruments. I have to say, the worst vintage Ric copy I have ever seen is nothing compared to these Chinese abominations.

It is sad to also think that part of the reason for the influx is a lack of official Rickenbacker presence in Australia. I am not having a go at Ric, I understand the situation. But if someone can enlighten me, if Ric were officially in Australia, couldn't they then represent their IP in Australia and go after the trademarks, protecting their products?

PLEASE GOD (yes I am a legitimate praying man, so no blasphemy here!) - Let there be a way for Rickenbacker to claim what is rightfully theirs and rid the world of terrible copies!

The bad man in me wants to buy one of these copies and commit many many many bad acts against it while a video camera is rolling, then publish it worldwide...

[johnhall]

This is not the kind of thing that done overnight and requires us to diligently dot the i's and cross the t's. This has already happened in Europe- a very big market- and every day there's less and less infringing goods though now since that market is drying up, the Chinese knockoff artists are probably dumping in Australia- a very small market.

Anyway, in Australia the i's have been dotted at this point and the t's are about half way there.

[Benjamin]

Love your work John. I understand and appreciate the lengths you must go to.

No I am not seriously going to purchase a knock-off to smash it up. But here's an idea - a T-Shirt with the Rickenbacker TRC on it and big bold letters NO FAKING! or 100% REAL or just MADE IN USA!!!

Loud and proud.

By the way, love the SnoGlo.

[petersland]

This is not the kind of thing that done overnight and requires us to diligently dot the i's and cross the t's. This has already happened in Europe- a very big market- and every day there's less and less infringing goods though now since that market is drying up, the Chinese knockoff artists are probably dumping in Australia- a very small market.

Anyway, in Australia the i's have been dotted at this point and the t's are about half way there.

This s excellent news. The Rebel rockers are nothing more than firewood and must be stopped. Some of the younger folk who have never played a 4003 or 4001 are calling these Rickenbackers and saying they're ****. Exactly, but they are not Rics!
Hopefully John you may also be referring to maybe an Aussie Dealer?? But I understand its a small market.

[Colonel Sanders]

Hopefully John you may also be referring to maybe an Aussie Dealer?? But I understand its a small market.

A special release of Snowglo to celebrate the re-introduction of Rickenbacker in Australia would have been nice!

[jdogric12]

A special release of Snowglo to celebrate the re-introduction of Rickenbacker in Australia would have been nice!

Right, because...



http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 317AAgzsBF

[johnhall]

A special release of Snowglo to celebrate the re-introduction of Rickenbacker in Australia would have been nice!

Naw, we're saving Dingo Brown for that.

[Colonel Sanders]

A special release of Snowglo to celebrate the re-introduction of Rickenbacker in Australia would have been nice!

Naw, we're saving Dingo Brown for that.

Baby eating Dingos are a touchy subject here...

Better rebrand Snowglo into Saltglo or RefinedSugarglo

Azureglo would be suited for the perpetual blue sky of Western Australia though!

[Benjamin]

Ooh now a DesertGlo would be nice. A gold into rich dark red around the edges. Mmmm.

HANG ON.... INCORPORATE ELEMENTS OF THIS!!!!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=409895

[petersland]

Jeff, by hook or by crook, I've actually scored myself a SnowGlo. She'll be on her way real soon.

[Colonel Sanders]

Jeff, by hook or by crook, I've actually scored myself a SnowGlo. She'll be on her way real soon.

Hey! Congratulation mate! Happy for you!

[cjj]

Jeff, by hook or by crook, I've actually scored myself a SnowGlo. She'll be on her way real soon.

Congrats!

[petersland]

Oh yeah, I'm one Happy Chappy. Had some friendly help locating it and could be the only SnowGlo in Oz

[ram]

Pictures upon reception!??!

[Benjamin]

Gotta see that SnoGlo.