Rickenfakers

[scottpro1969]

Sad day for me and I need advice on how to proceed.

I just moved back home after many years away and was excited to go to the music store where I bought my first, and probably all totaled 7 Ricks. I walked in an was greeted warmly by the owner of almost 40 years. They had a few new 360/12s, 330s, 610, three 4003s and.....a complete line of Dillon Rickenfakers.

I was shocked and sad to see these displayed alongside the real deal. This is a small family-owned store and I couldn't believe they were selling what I'm sure they know is against their agreement with RIC. How should I proceed with this? I think I should call RIC directly and report it???

Advice please.

Thanks, Scott

[scottpro1969]

...and yes, this is an authorized dealer.

[cjj]

Did you ask the store owners if they were aware of the issues that might come up if they were selling such items?

[scottpro1969]

CJ,

I was going to but, like I said, this guy has been an authorized dealer for almost 40 years. Certainly he knows this is against his agreement....or maybe I'm just naive to think that.

[cjj]

It's amazing how many people don't really read and understand agreements like this. Or don't really think about them (or forget) a while later. In any case, I'd probably give the owners the benefit of the doubt and mention it to them, giving them the chance to "fix" things before any problems might arise.

Of course, this is assuming that the Dillon guitars really qualify as counterfeits, copies, or whatever. I really have no idea what Dillon makes and whether they would actually be a problem...

[rkbsound]

I think that this is between the dealer and RIC. I don't see how a third party needs to be involved. As right as you may be, and I agree it's too bad, it's not your business. The owner certainly won't appreciate your interference. If it's something illegal, then report it to the police.

[godber]

Man I'm glad that this counts as a sad day for you, you must having a ball.

[cjj]

Man I'm glad that this counts as a sad day for you, you must having a ball.

[DriftSpace]

Man I'm glad that this counts as a sad day for you, you must having a ball.

Seriously!

My wife was in the hospital 4 times this month; I almost lost her to a Basilar artery stroke, and on top of it there are a pile of other things we've had to deal with. She just turned 29!

I agree that it's a shame a shop like that feels the need to sell those ugly rip-off instruments, but ... at least nobody is bombing your neighborhood.

[doctorwho]

... If it's something illegal, then report it to the police.

It is illegal, but one does not call the police for copyright or trademark infringement, just as one would not call the police to report insider trading of a company's stock.

There appears to be a Dillion (note spelling) that does sell Korean-made knock offs. These basses, even without seeing the headstock, appear to infringe on Rickenbacker's copyrights/trademarks:

http://www.dillionguitars.com/bass/

The guitars are "less close resembling" IMO:

http://www.dillionguitars.com/guitar/electric/

And this Dillion knows that it is doing something hokey:

[iiipopes]

Since the OP is the one who saw it, has he contacted [email protected]?

[johnhall]

This is nothing in our dealer agreement that says what other products dealers CANNOT sell- that would be a legal problem in itself. However, every manufacturer has the right to pick and choose who they want to sell their own product to, which is, of course, a choice we make every day.

We're aware of Dillion. John Dillion seems to be a reasonable person and has made a number of adjustments to his model line to accommodate us, however, I've never understood why he (and others) haven't just paid their dues and made an effort to distinguish themselves by coming up with their own original designs. Nevertheless, he seems to revert back towards infringing designs and he's definitely working up higher again on our list of legal priorities.

But I would love to hear which dealer is doing this and see if some re-education is possible.

[scottpro1969]

John, I'd be happy to let you know. How should I go about contacting you?

[cjj]

PM's seem to work well...

[Rickadelphia]

The Dillions may resemble a Rickenbacker....but when you pick one up and play it they feel and sound nothing like a Rickenbacker. As a Rickenbacker owner, I'm glad that Rickenbacker protects their legal rights to designs, etc. IMO, it also protects my investment in a Rickenbacker guitar along with a certain exclusivity....not in a snooty way but by ensuring that there will never be anything generic about a Rickenbacker and the market will never be flooded with cheap knock offs or replicas. Of course, beyond legal action the only way this really succeeds is Rickenbacker's ongoing commitment to producing high quality instruments, making subtle changes/improvements in contemporary models and keeping prices out of the "Custom Shop" range.