4/2 Headstock question

[ScreaminFloyd]

I've seen 5 other guitar makers in the past that have produced the 4/2 headstock. One company is still around & currently makes just a 3/3. My question, Are Headstock shapes and configurations and even body styles Trademarked? Or are just the names of the Guitar Trademarked? Gretch made a very simular 4/2 Headstock that resembles Music Man. Did Gretch "Move it's feet lost it's seat" type of deal? Or sell the rights to the 4/2 configuration. Gretch even had a reverse 2/4 version as well. 4 other guitar makers that made the 4/2 are no longer in buisness even up until the mid 1990's.

 

[yellowv03]

Yes headstock designs are trademarked. There have been many a law suit involving headstock shapes.

 

[beej]

Trademarks can be complicated, and are region specific.

EB has a trademark on the 4&2 and 3&1 tuner configurations, their headstock shapes and various other terms/designs that they use, in the USA.

I have no idea what the deal with Gretch or any of the others are.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

The 4 on 2 is a Music Man trademark. I can only assume that a 2 on 4 is not as I've seen many guitars with that configuration. I did see a popular custom guitar company put up a 4 on 2 headstock guitar in it's "sale" site. I told Wonderdog about it and in short order, the guitar was gone.

 

[paranoid70]

The Holdsworth model guitar is a 2+4, so I don't think that config is trademarked by EBMM.

 

[yellowv03]

I'm pretty sure you can't trademark solely on a tuner configuration. I think it comes down to headstock shapes being trademarked. You see tons and tons of 3-3's but none can look exactly like Gibson. Fender licenses it's headstock shape, but other than Jackson or Warmoth using it will result in a suit. Jackson sued ESP back in the day for using their headstock shape.