Trump Guitars struck with cease-and-desist from Gibson over lookalike guitar designs

[Enter Stage Rite]

Gibson is striking a chord—and it's not a pleasant one for Trump Guitars. The renowned American guitar manufacturer has issued a cease-and-desist letter to 16 Creative, the company behind the Trump Guitars line. According to Gibson, these instruments are a little too reminiscent of its own famous designs, particularly the beloved Les Paul.

 

The Trump Guitars collection, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, features both electric and acoustic models.

 

One of the standout designs, called the American Eagle Series, includes some very on-brand elements: the "Make America Great Again" slogan inlaid along the neck, and the number 45 emblazoned on the headstock. The guitars range in price from around $1,250 to $1,500, but limited editions signed by Trump himself are fetching prices as high as $10,000.

 

 

Gibson claims that the design elements of Trump Guitars are infringing on its trademarked Les Paul model, a classic that's been at the heart of Gibson's catalog since the 1950s. In the cease-and-desist letter, Gibson argues that the similarities between the two could lead to confusion among consumers and ultimately weaken the distinctiveness of its brand—a risk Gibson seems unwilling to take lightly.

 

A Gibson Les Paul. Image: John Raffaghello Ii | Dreamstime.com

 

This move isn’t Gibson’s first rodeo when it comes to defending its intellectual property. The company has previously pursued legal action against manufacturers like Dean Guitars and PRS Guitars for similar design issues.

 

As it stands, 16 Creative has yet to publicly respond to Gibson's allegations.

 

 

• https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gibson-trump-guitars-cease-and-desist-1235180511/ 
• https://apnews.com/article/trump-guitars-d585331e2a1f55316c52ad8121ef6826 
• https://www.axios.com/2024/11/26/trump-guitars-gibson-les-paul-cease-desist 
• https://gizmodo.com/trump-guitars-slapped-with-cease-and-desist-for-copying-gibson-design-report-2000529891 
• https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/trump-guitars 

 

Images: Trump Guitars and John Raffaghello Ii | Dreamstime.com