Gibson Manufacturers, the enduring guitar producer, is threatening to take authorized motion towards the corporate behind Trump Guitars over alleged trademark infringement.
The 120-year-old maker of historic devices such because the Les Paul electrical guitar despatched a stop and desist letter to 16 Artistic, the company that’s advertising and marketing specifically branded Trump Guitars.
“We can confirm a cease and desist has been issued against 16 Creative as the design infringes upon Gibson’s exclusive trademarks, particularly the iconic Les Paul body shape,” Gibson mentioned in a press release to Guitar World journal.
President-elect Donald Trump final week posted a picture on his social media platform Fact Social exhibiting him touting one of many Trump Guitars.
The president-elect is seen holding a “limited edition” guitar that seems to be the identical form and measurement of the Les Paul guitar.
The social media publish features a hyperlink to a website the place folks should buy both an acoustic or electrical guitar autographed by the president-elect for as much as $10,000.
The Trump Guitars function the phrases “Presidential” and “God Bless the USA” written out throughout the instrument’s fret board.
The website advertising and marketing the Trump Guitars signifies that in contrast to Gibson devices that are made within the USA, the Trump-branded model is “manufactured by multiple providers and include parts/features that are both domestic and international.”
“This is standard with most guitar manufacturers,” in keeping with the Trump Guitars website.
Gibson has been aggressive in pursuing infringement claims towards guitar makers that produce merchandise with designs which might be much like that of the Les Paul, the enduring stringed instrument that was first patented in 1955.
In Might 2022, a jury sided with Gibson in its commerce infringement lawsuit towards Dean, which was accused of selling counterfeit variations of the Gibson Flying V, Explorer and SG guitars.
Gibson has additionally threatened authorized motion towards different firms resembling Kiesel, Mojo Hand FX and others over alleged trademark infringement.
Along with the Trump-endorsed line of guitars, the president-elect has additionally promoted Trump-branded Bibles, sneakers, watches, photograph books and cryptocurrency ventures whereas campaigning for a second time period in workplace.
The Put up has sought remark from Gibson, 16 Artistic and the Trump transition staff.
