Key facts
- Fender has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Yamaha regarding guitar designs.
- The action is part of Fender's effort to protect its Stratocaster copyright.
- Yamaha received the letter in May.
- Fender previously won a ruling in Germany that the Stratocaster design is legally protected.
- Other manufacturers like LSL Instruments and PRS Guitars have also received similar letters.
U.S. musical instrument maker Fender has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Japan's Yamaha, warning the company to respect copyright protections for its iconic Stratocaster guitar design. This move signifies a widening of Fender's legal efforts to defend its intellectual property.
Yamaha confirmed receiving the letter in May, though specific models were not named. It is widely believed that Fender's action targets Yamaha's Pacifica model, which shares a similar double-cutaway body shape with the Stratocaster. Fender's campaign intensified after a March ruling by the Regional Court of Düsseldorf, which declared the Stratocaster an "original creative work" eligible for legal protection in Germany and the EU.
Fender has previously sent similar legal notices to other guitar manufacturers, including LSL Instruments and PRS Guitars, as it seeks to enforce its design rights. The legal battle over "S-style" guitars has become a significant issue in the industry, with Fender asserting its claim over the distinctive body shape.