? about shapes

[Spivonious]

Yeah, I don't think U.S. copyright laws apply to companies overseas. Could be wrong though.

[Frigo89]

I think being overseas has something to do with most of them too. From what I understand, companies based outside the USA can easily copy designs without harassment from Gibson, FMIC, etc. I don't think the same laws apply.

yeah, which is why you see Edwards getting away with the Les Pauls on Ebay, for quite a bit cheaper than what Gibson's prices are

I would like to see Jackson come out with a Les Paul esque design though, maybe do some cuouts on the body for the arm and ribs.

BTW, "Captain Claw" this is BeN5150

[MEX3]

Gibson and Fender are to guitars what Coke and Pepsi are to pop. They are in collusion with each other to keep their profits high and stomp out competition from other builders.

[bucknaked31]

Copyright laws are good is at least 180 countries. Unfortunately some of the big offenders are asian companies and they don't recognize copyright laws. I believe that trademark laws are what is at stake here, though. Unless they write a song about their headstock shape, it's not gonna do them much good...

[KevinDguitar]

Gibson and Hamer have had an agreement of sorts since the 1970s. The guys at Hamer's original factory were doing repairs on Gibby's for their high profile endorsees back then and the original Hamer prototypes and some of the pre-serial number system guitars even had/have original PAF and other hardware pluck from Gibson's throwaway bins.