Posting images of Rickenbacker copies

[Gust0o]

Afternoon all.

I come bearing news - and a request for your help.

As some will have noticed, Hamster has updated the Sticky thread on the subject of Rickenbacker copies. Unfortunately, it doesn't get a lot of visibility, so I wanted to start this here.

We've had some further correspondence from John Hall, who has confirmed that the copyright has been extended from the previous position of copyrighted Headstock and Logo/TRC, to now include the body - with effect from last September. This correspondence took the same form as last time, with a clear indication of Rickenbacker's willingness to pursue legal action against those they perceive as breaching that position.

Our stance hasn't changed. Whilst we think it's a shame that it has come to this, we will respect the wishes of the copyright owner.

Hamster's [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/173238-notice-for-owners-of-rickenbacker-copies/page__st__100"]original post i[/url]s as follows:

[quote]
I've been asked to 'Police' the issue of potential copyright infringement of Rickenbacker designs and trademarks.

Kiwi has made our position clear. We will respect the wishes of the copyright owner in these cases. Despite this notice being made as public as possible, it seems that some members - new & established have not read it, or have read it and chosen to ignore it.

To make the position of the owners of Basschat clear, please take notice that ANY infringement of copyright against Rickenbacker - such as displaying any form of representation of the copyrighted trademarks or designs (which are clearly detailed in the communications from John Hall attached to the first post of this topic, and are pictorially represented below); and/or any reference, either by the topic starter or by any person posting in that topic;[list=1]
[*]To any advertised goods being in any way a Rickenbacker product when they are not a genuine product originally manufactured by Rickenbacker or under licence from them;
[*]To any such advertised goods bearing any resemblance to any copyrighted design or trademark owned by Rickenbacker;
[/list]


Will result in:[list]
[*]The advert or post being deleted without notice.
[*]The offending topic starter or poster will receive a warning and will be banned from that section of the forum where the advert or comment was posted for 14 days.
[*]After the 14 day ban, the topic starter or poster will be allowed access to that forum again IF a clear understanding is received by the Moderation team by the topic starter/poster that they will not act in the same or similar way again, and that they fully understand the property rights being owned and exerted by Rickenbacker.
[*]If the same person then goes on to commit any other infringement against the designs or copyrights owned by Rickenbacker, they will be banned from the whole forum permanently.
[/list]
[/quote]

I attach the relevant designs below for information.

So, sorry it's heavy news, but I need people to bear this in mind - and to begin to spread the word and help us police this. If you spy items which would infringe the above, please do let a member of the team know.

Last time we had some grumping about John Hall on a personal level. Seemingly he's active on the forums, so I would ask people to keep maintain decorum with any responses.

Ta!

[neepheid]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1369142884' post='2085354']
Last time we had some grumping about John Hall on a personal level. Seemingly he's active on the forums, so I would ask people to keep maintain decorum with any responses.
[/quote]

You can ask

I have no interest in Rickenbacker, their products or ones that look like them, so their legal bullying is a matter of some irrelevance to me. But thanks for the headsup.

[Twigman]

I wonder what Mr Hall is doing about these:
[url="http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%252FsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%3DHhnVqHzpNRgAAAEZwwlFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%3DsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3D6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%26ManufacturerName%3DCareer"]http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%252FsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%3DHhnVqHzpNRgAAAEZwwlFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%3DsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3D6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%26ManufacturerName%3DCareer[/url]

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1369145215' post='2085401']
I wonder what Mr Hall is doing about these:
[url="http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%252FsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%3DHhnVqHzpNRgAAAEZwwlFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%3DsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3D6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%26ManufacturerName%3DCareer"]http://www.musicstor...erName%3DCareer[/url]
[/quote]

They are OK, the plastic plate on the headstock goes the other way

John Hall should go after Encores too... afterall, they sound sh*t too... so they've obviously copied Rickenbacker.

Edited May 21, 2013 by EBS_freak

[Twigman]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1369145562' post='2085405']

John Hall should go after Encores too... afterall, they sound sh*t too... so they've obviously copied Rickenbacker.
[/quote]
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but to go to such lengths to perfect every detail is closer to stalking.

[yorick]

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1369145215' post='2085401']
I wonder what Mr Hall is doing about these:
[url="http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%252FsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%3DHhnVqHzpNRgAAAEZwwlFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%3DsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3D6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%26ManufacturerName%3DCareer"]http://www.musicstor...erName%3DCareer[/url]
[/quote]
He probably wasn't doing much, but now you've pointed it out, the proverbial "ton of bricks" shall henceforth rain down upon them.......... ;D

[spongebob]

Does it only cover the 4003? [size=4] [/size]

[Mr. Foxen]

Ebay policy somehow cover copies of basses that Rickenbacker never even made.

Just to clarify, we can post pictures of copies in not for sale places, like porn section and such, its all about advertising? The thread title concerned on that count.

[BetaFunk]

The paragraph re the Shaftesbury 3261 is interesting...

http://shaftesburyguitars.wordpress.com/category/rose-morris/

[Gust0o]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1369153923' post='2085552']
Ebay policy somehow cover copies of basses that Rickenbacker never even made.

Just to clarify, we can post pictures of copies in not for sale places, like porn section and such, its all about advertising? The thread title concerned on that count.
[/quote]

I'm not sure, buddy - I've asked Hamster to post and confirm, as I wouldn't like to get it wrong

[Gust0o]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1369144309' post='2085381']
You can ask

I have no interest in Rickenbacker, their products or ones that look like them, so their legal bullying is a matter of some irrelevance to me. But thanks for the headsup.
[/quote]

No worries. We're too pretty for prison

[Jono Bolton]

So if someone had one of these copyright-infringing basses that they wanted to sell, would they prohibted from posting a listing completely, or is it ok as long as it doesn't include any pics?

Eg: "I have a bass for sale, which has a distinctive, recognisable body shape, headstock and truss rod cover. John Hall doesn't want you to buy it. I do. PM me for details and pictures."

[Mr. Foxen]

Maybe a bit less blatant than actual namechecks.

[Ghost_Bass]

Just another reason for me not to like Ricks (can i use the short term or should i have to use the full word?). They're ugly, heavy, uncomfortable to play, sound very poor, don't balance right and the price is ridiculous (yes i've tried them, the originals, one of them was even a vintage oldie). If i don't see one again i would be ok with that and i sincerely hope that the brand takes a severe hit on their sales due to their attitude...

Sorry if i offended any BC members, this is not intended to you

Cheers

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1369156335' post='2085601']
Just another reason for me not to like Ricks (can i use the short term or should i have to use the full word?). They're ugly, heavy, uncomfortable to play, sound very poor, don't balance right and the price is ridiculous (yes i've tried them, the originals, one of them was even a vintage oldie). If i don't see one again i would be ok with that and i sincerely hope that the brand takes a severe hit on their sales due to their attitude...

Sorry if i offended any BC members, this is not intended to you

Cheers
[/quote]

I think the new ones are better than the oldies, since more recently they copied the Japanese makers in going to CNC routing and shaping. Funny they didn't copy the pricing though.

[Green Alsatian]

If I were the owner of Basschat, I would ban all discussion of Rickenbacker products and inform John Hall of this decision.

Or have Basschat sponsored by Music Store Professional and tell John Hall to suck it.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Green Alsatian

[DiMarco]

Ow mister Hall will find that this attitude will not bear any fruit.
I really like my 4003. Great sounding bass!

[Stacker]

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1369145215' post='2085401']
I wonder what Mr Hall is doing about these:
[url="http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewParametricSearch-SimpleOfferSearch?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%252FsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%3DHhnVqHzpNRgAAAEZwwlFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%252F6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%3DsUPVqHzpVKQAAAEZOApFop40%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3D6OTVqHzpu7YAAAEZ63gtK5qL%26ManufacturerName%3DCareer"]http://www.musicstor...erName%3DCareer[/url]
[/quote]

He won't do nuthin', as they say over there. The man might be trying to protect his firm's copyright but he's a bully. I'd call him a lot worse if I thought I'd get away with it but given that there's four guests reading this thread and California is just back from lunch I don't want the mods to get another missive from that bawbag!

Edited May 21, 2013 by Stacker

[waynepunkdude]

He is right though, look how Fender don't sell any basses since people used their designs..................

[risingson]

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1369169425' post='2085861']
See no reason to honour that. I've seen his behavior on his forum, and I've seen many stories from others that have encountered his insane behavior. Rickenbacker's whole business model stinks. This doesn't mean we have to honour his temper tantrums and general histrionics in any way at all.
[/quote]

I don't think you're honouring what Gusto asks for the sake of Mr. Hall, rather the desire of the admins and owners of this forum not to have to continually be putting up with the aforementioned throwing his legal weight about. That's fair enough.

[Machines]

This is one of the reasons I quit as an admin, can't he bothered with legal crap.

[Mr. Foxen]

If anyone does happen to either want or want rid of such basses, feel free to PM or contact me via other means (sig links will take you to places with email address and facebook contact) and I'll endeavor to hook people up.

[John Schoen]

The fun never ends with RIC: http://konschaklaw.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/rickenbacker-sues-lollar-guitars-for-trademark-infringement/ RIC is suing Jason Lollar for trademark infringement, they have trademarked the horseshoe pickup.

[Wolverinebass]

That's it. I'm never buying a Rickenbacker bass. If I want something similar, I shall be taking up Mr Foxen's more than generous offer to get..... a FAKE one!! Woooo!!! What you going to do about that? What's next? Will Mr Hall try to sue the manufacturers of the screws used on his pathetically awful tail lifting bridge? That's a trademark surely of Rics? Or maybe the triangular neck inlays? When does it stop? The answer is simple. When this bloke goes out of business. I had really thought about getting myself something nice for my 35th a couple of years ago and toyed with the idea of getting a Ric. Then I played one. I then suitably re-considered. His posturing and threatening I truly hope ruins that company as has ruined their reputation and any smidgeon of goodwill associated with it. It's just the icing on the cake for some people, but he's never going to see one penny of my hard earned cash. See ya Jonny boy, I'm buying a Wal!!

[Rich]

With my mod hat on, I would echo Gus's comments regarding restraint and thank everyone for their understanding on this issue.
Taking my mod hat off, I'd like to add that if R***ies were the only basses left on the planet, I would give up and play kazoo instead. Or jew's harp, or triangle, or in fact any one of a million other instruments more personally rewarding to play than a R***y.