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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:10 am
by rickenbacky
lawsuit,is that something you wear????

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:12 am
by shamustwin
Yeah, to a necktie party Image

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:23 am
by rickenbacky
For me a real 4005 is just a pipe dream,how many people do you know with the cash to by one??,if you can find one?,so thats why i made this bass it only cost £160 to make,and it sounds and feel`s really smooth,I`m not trying to pass my self off as some top guitar builder,I`m just a fan of these kind of basses,with a hobby in guitar building,you either like it or you hate it.As for lawsuits?thats something I`ve never quit twigged with you yanks,you`ll sue anybody for anything,its only a guitar,its not murder or rape!

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:32 am
by raj
Do Trolls wear neckties?

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:32 am
by raj
Do Trolls wear suits?

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:34 am
by rickenbacky
I hope so,

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:23 am
by rickaddict
I don't think any copyrights are being violated as long as Mark made the guitar for his own use and is not planning on producing a batch of them to sell.

And yes...we have WAY too many lawyers here in the USA who try to make it big by going after those with deep pockets. It is sad and wrong.

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:02 am
by johnhall
You're absolutely right- no copyrights are being violated.

The trademarks for the body and head shapes are another matter entirely, and we are REQUIRED to take action when an infringement is noted if we wish to keep our marks. Had it not been thrust into public purview, we wouldn't know about it and and therefore wouldn't be REQUIRED to take action.

In any case, there has to be another agenda here, given that a friendly warning has been unheeded.

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:45 am
by bob_atherton
If I may suggest a last attempt at mediation?

John, maybe your warning shot across the bows was not totally understood by Mark, it should have been.

Mark, you really, really should not have shown off your bass on this or any other forum. I hope now that you understand the position of John Hall and RIC.

Maybe if Mark ceases any further posting about this bass, we can still nip this issue in the bud?

Bob

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:57 am
by sowhat
Great post, Bob. And great idea (IMHO). In short:
Image

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:52 am
by kcole4001
Most people don't realize how serious a matter it is because hardly any one else in the guitar making business takes their own trademarks that seriously.
No one gets excited about another P bass copy. So people think that RIC is the same.
An honest mistake, surely. But, of course, the law is the law, & failure to follow through just opens the floodgates of precedent. There really isn't much option.

But then, I'm not a lawyer, doctor, or anyone of importance, so it's just my opinion.

BTW, I like the walnut. A very nice finish.

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:27 am
by alanz
Dude,

Just say it is a photo of a real 4005 that you photoshopped as a "mock up" and then stfu about it from now on.

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:36 am
by anoukane
Is that copyright thing the same with guitars or just with basses?

Is this legal or illegal?
http://www.feedback.nl/?id=55&b=19222

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:40 am
by j_gary
Hi Mark, you seem like a talented and bright fellow. It was perhaps an innocent post about some of your hard work, but I think you may want to correspond with Mr. Hall about this incident as soon as possible, to nip this in the bud. May be best done off site.

Whether or not we agree about the worlds legal affairs, Mr. Hall is fighting to keep his family, employees and company in good fiscal health. As such I would not trifle with this man. It's in all our best interests that Rickenbacker remains vibrant, healthy and free from ugly legal challenges that consume valuable time, resources and money.

As Bob pointed out, I don't think many of us realize, I did not, how serious things like this are for Rickenbacker. Mr. Hall is required to do something every time something like this comes up, or he may forfeit the right to protect his products. It must be a giant pain in the butt to do so, and again, wastes valuable resources.

Mark, I say this in a spirit of brotherly concern for all of us who love Rickenbacker. I hope I have not offended for that was not my intent.

I'm sure us yanks seem odd to most at times. But do not forget who was in on the ground floor of this clown show. I'm told there was a rather large group of Englishmen involved.

God Save The Queen!

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:46 am
by johnallg
Philip - good spotting. Looks like infringement to me but JH is the one to decide.