Gibson 'style' shapes?

[phrozin]

Theoretically a 10% change in the shape is enough to avoid any patent/copyright infringement. The problem is that there is also a caveat that the new product could not be mistaken for the genuine item by a 'reasonable' person. I suspect that this is where G's lawyers make it difficult and not worth pursuing - especially for a business like Pitbull. I think they could successfully argue there is no chance of the LP copies being mistaken for the real thing by someone who knows what they are looking at, but the time, money and effort to do that against a large multi national would be somewhat daunting. I know Hagstrom got away with it for a very long time with the Swedes - These were pretty clearly copies and in my opinion far superior in terms of overall quality. But even they have made some significant moves away from those shapes to avoid any further hassles.

It's a shame that this is their approach, especially for what amounts to a hobby market - It's not like I'm going to throw down for a genuine G guitar if I can't build the kit. At any rate, I've discovered I actually prefer playing the F style guitars I have, despite wanting an LP for ages. I have a couple of pretty decent substitutes now, but they just don't speak to me as much when I'm playing for whatever reason.

wonder if they be able to sue anyone Sonic there up to there ears in debt and bankruptcy is there only way out as they have some ridiculous debt but they shot them selves in the foot by building a few dogs in the last couple of years, they charge you 5k for something worth 800 bucks but everyone yearns for 1 except me as i got 2 and cant play either of them, then i have a ES on the way which i probably wont be able to play lol was thinking about a Les paul hollow B but where do you get one PB doesn't sell them anymore