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A guitar company touting an endorsement by Donald Trump has become embroiled in a trademark dispute, accused of imitating an iconic instrument, U.S. media reported Tuesday.
Trump Guitars, whose website boasts a picture of the U.S. president-elect holding a six-string, has received a "cease and desist" letter from Gibson, whose guitars have been favorites of musicians including Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry.
The letter warns Trump Guitars owner 16 Creative that the design of their product "infringes upon Gibson's exclusive trademarks, particularly the iconic Les Paul body shape," U.S. outlets said.
Trump Guitars, which says on its website it has "the ONLY guitar endorsed" by the incoming commander-in-chief has already sold out of its Trump-autographed American Eagle electric guitar, which had a price tag of $11,500.
The company is also offering a "Presidential Series" in red, gold or black, whose shape bears a striking resemblance to the Les Paul, but which has "DONALD J. TRUMP" inlaid on the fretboard.
However, the site notes: "The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product."
The website also offers a disclaimer that it is not in any way affiliated to Gibson Brands Inc.
The guitars, the site notes, are "manufactured by multiple providers and include parts/features that are both domestic and international."
It was not immediately clear if they would be affected by a proposed 25 percent blanket tariff the incoming president says he intends to impose on products shipped from Mexico or Canada.
Trump is not shy about putting his name to an array of products unrelated to his core real estate empire.
The businessman-turned-politician has sold his supporters everything from $100,000 watches to limited edition coins, to gold sneakers, to digital trading cards and signed bibles.
© 2024 AFP
12 Comments
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dagon
Knock offs made in China.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-people-will-buy-smash-netizens-react-trump-guitars-hit-made-china-allegations
MAGA
garymalmgren
The guitars, the site notes, are "manufactured by multiple providers and include parts/features that are both domestic and international."
That would mean the BILL was printed in the states and everything else imported.
Better but now though, at a 25% tariff that is a price rise of $2875
utorsa
They need the manufacture one that's dedicated to his son. A single cut away with a bridge pickup only. They could call it:
The "Don Jr"
Only available in Coke White.
Jay
Ah, the irony of woke Gibson, the supposed champion of rock'n'roll rebellion, getting all skinny, jittery and litigious! That's like Toyota trying to copyright "car" or Coca-Cola claiming "beverage" as their divine right. Maybe Gibson's next move will be to copyright 'freedom' - oh wait, nope, they sold that out years ago. Trump holding a guitar probably triggers them more than their own bankruptcy filings did.
utorsa
For a guy who badmouths China all the time, he really loves having them make all of his junk collectibles.
utorsa
Most Trump merchandise is made in China. Similar guitars can be found on Chinese websites at a fraction of the Trump price. Decades ago when US Steel was having problems selling girders, Trump was buying steel for his buildings from China. It continues today.
utorsa
Its a Chibson Rand Paul.
bass4funk
There is absolutely no proof that these guitars are made in China. Now they could be made in South Korea which I suspect, but China, no.
bass4funk
What are you talking about? This is a legitimate company selling these guitars. Now , are some of these models worth 11k, I’m not sure, but if people want to invest their money in a one of a kind model piece, their choice.
runner3
Bass4funk,
One of a kind means "one" of a kind. And the crap that Trump's selling is hardly worth even a tenth of what they're selling for.
bass4funk
Maybe for you, so it doesn’t matter what you think, if there are people that want to spend that kind of money, you or I can’t judge anyone, we don’t have that right. My wife will buy boots or a wallet for $600, I would never do that, but that’s my choice, but I will pay 6K for a bass guitar without a thought, so we can all do what we want with our money and we all have different tastes of what we see and feel is valuable to us.
garymalmgren
RE Jay,
Ah, the irony of woke Gibson, the supposed champion of rock'n'roll rebellion, getting all skinny, jittery and litigious!
This has nothing to do with woke. This is about MONEY and copyright protection.
$18,000,000 worth of fake Gibson guitars seized at LA port.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/fake-gibson-guitars-worth-18m-seized-at-los-angeles-long-beach-ports