Iconic guitar maker Gibson Brands is threatening legal action against the company behind Trump Guitars for alleged trademark infringement.
A 120-year-old manufacturer of historic instruments such as the Les Paul electric guitar has sent a cease-and-desist letter to 16 Creative, an agency that sells a special brand of Trump guitars.
“We can confirm that a cease-and-desist order has been issued against 16 Creative as this design infringes Gibson's proprietary trademarks, specifically the iconic Les Paul body shape.” Gibson said in a statement to Guitar World magazine.
President-elect Donald Trump posted the image last week. on his social media platform Truth Social He was shown promoting one of the Trump guitars.
The president-elect is seen carrying a “limited edition” guitar that appears to be the same shape and size as a Les Paul guitar.
The social media post includes a link to a website where you can buy an acoustic or electric guitar autographed by the president-elect for up to $10,000.
The Trump guitar has the words “President” and “God Bless America” written across the instrument's fingerboard.
A website promoting Trump guitars states that, unlike U.S.-made Gibson instruments, Trump-branded versions are “manufactured by multiple providers and include both domestic and foreign parts and features. ” is stated.
According to the Trump Guitar website, “This is standard for most guitar manufacturers.”
Gibson is aggressively pursuing infringement claims against guitar manufacturers that make products with designs similar to the iconic Les Paul stringed instrument. It was first patented in 1955.
In May 2022, Jury sided with Gibson in trade infringement case Against Dean, who was accused of selling counterfeit Gibson Flying V, Explorer and SG guitars.
Gibson has also threatened to sue other companies, including Kiesel and Mojo Hand FX, for alleged trademark infringement.
In addition to a series of Trump-endorsed guitars, the president-elect has promoted Trump-branded Bibles, sneakers, watches, photo books, and a cryptocurrency venture while campaigning for a second term. .
The newspaper has reached out to Gibson, 16 Creative and the Trump transition team for comment.
