I am a musician for more than twenty years, due to the availability of information via the Internet, I decided to start making solid body electric guitar. Due to possible problems with the rights of original producers in connection with the shape of the guitar and headstock, I decided to make some of my own forms. But now I have a new problem: some of the headstock details that I wanted to produce apparently already owned by some firms. So, for example, reportedly Music Man company has rights to the distribution of tuners in a 4+2 orientation (setup)!? I understand that such form as the headstocks of Stratocaster, Les Paul, MM are by law protected, but that tuners position is protected, that's really new and really do not understand how someone thought that such a thing is allowed and by Law regulated. That is why I turn myself to users of this forum which I consider valuable source of right information, the question of whether this is true? Where luthiers would otherwise find the information whether and which form is protected to avoid problems with the law and lawsuits? Thank you for your answers. 
