Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Is it illegal to sell Rickenbacker copies in the UK? I was looking in a music shop in York the other day and they had a copy of a 4003 and a copy of one of the guitar models, both brand new. I think the name on the TRC was 'Rickenbetter' or something like that. They were almost identical copies. Even the name on the TRC had the same sort of lettering as the real thing and the guitar had the distinctive 'R' on the tailpiece. I was going to ask if they had looked into the legality of selling them due to the obvious copyright infringement issue but thought I would ask here first. Not what I expected to see in a shop window...

They'll be Tokai Rockinbetter - copies, thus illegal

Normally they shouldn't have the R-tailpiece, they usually have some "embroidery" pattern as tailpiece

Have a load of these just come in or something?

I was just looking online for Markbass stockists around Yorkshire (I think it might be fun to try one out) and found the same thing at Rock Factory in Castleford...

http://www.rockfactory.co.uk/proddetail ... gbg-tokrbf

"Fantastic bass guitar of genuine quality at a fraction of the price of its distant cousin!"

What's Rickenbackers take on these? Do they pursue them?

(Not that this site has any markbass amps listed on its website anyway, but Proel listed them as a dealer)

I believe the RIC patent is US only, only kicks in when fakes try to get imported into the US.

Not only is it wrong for these companies to produce fakers, putting the name "Rockinbetter" on them is really an insult to RIC and the whole Rickenbacker enthusiast community, in my opinion.
People buy these guitars thinking they have their "Rickenbacker". They are just fooling themselves.

Also just my opinion, but I can't see posting links to manufacturers of fakers and giving them free advertising. Especially on a forum devoted to genuine Rickenbacker instruments.

rickenbrother wrote:Also just my opinion, but I can't see posting links to manufacturers of fakers and giving them free advertising.

Same with me... I had to think a few times before naming them in my post above. The last thing we want is people thinking they're buying the real deal - especially if they added R-tailpieces as Antony wrote! But, if people would do a search they'd end up in this thread and read they're bad copies!

I've done international law, so had a little course on trademarks. In some countries judges would deem copies of registered products illegal, especially if they're registered in the US. It would mean going to court, though!

These have been around for a wee while now - at least one shop in Glasgow stocks them and at one point had a black one (don't worry, I'm not saying Jetglo) sitting on display next to an old Azureglo 4003.

I don't know what the ins and outs of availability of Ric basses is in the UK but you can pick up maybe four of these fakes easily (and have a ritualistic burning or whatever) for the price of one 4003 and, in Scotland anyway, there isn't a whole lot of choice. Each shop that actually does stock a Rick will have one bass only (I have never seen anything other than a 4003 either). Not really that great if you want to try a few out, and considering the price you'd be wanting to try a few out.

Lack of availability does lead to exclusivity though I suppose.

Although it's hard back in the UK, with the lack of actual RIC product, and the heavy taxes involved, the best thing is still to save your money for the real thing!

Another one, this one from an actual guitar maker in York...
http://davegregoryguitars.com/featured.htm

http://davegregoryguitars.com/featured/RockenGregor.jpg

If you look on Musicgrounds website they have a Rockinbetter 4003S copy.

Why pay a luthier when you can buy a real one cheaper and slap in aftermarket pups? Don't get it...

12stringbassist wrote:Another one, this one from an actual guitar maker in York...
http://davegregoryguitars.com/featured.htm

http://davegregoryguitars.com/featured/RockenGregor.jpg

I wonder if he realises about the trademark violation issue? It looks like he lives about a two minute walk from me. I personally have no interest in copies of ricks. Quite apart from the legal issue (which puts me off) the real thing has such a distinctive aura and sound that I'd always want to have a real Rickenbacker.

I usually like luthiers to have NEW ideas, not to just recycle old ones.

+1, Ian.

Wow, the one Ian posted even has checkered binding!

I expect this was a commission for a customer who wanted a 4002 lookalike.

Jon.