Gibson files to cancel DiMarzio’s PAF and Double Cream pickup trademarks

[uOpt]

https://guitar.com/news/industry-ne...l-dimarzio-paf-double-cream-pickup-trademark/

Gibson has filed a legal request to cancel two of DiMarzio’s pickup trademarks: the term “PAF”, and the ‘Double Cream’ design of an uncovered humbucker with two cream-coloured bobbins.​

 

[solspirit]

Jfc, Gibson would make a lot more money, if they didn't waste so much on lawyers and filing fees.

 

[Securb]

Bout time. Say what you will about Gibson being litigious but this is a win for us all. I am dreaming about a double-cream BW set for my LP right now.

 

[marcello252]

The fact PAF can be used by someone who doesn't invent it only is a bit odd indeed, same for the double cream

 

[Securb]

Jfc, Gibson would make a lot more money, if they didn't waste so much on lawyers and filing fees.

The market share they gain back by preventing people from using their designs and closing their competitors far outweighs the legal costs. They are likely recouping court costs and legal fees as part of the suit along with lost revenue. Do you really think if it were a waste of money Gibson would spend decades and millions suing people? I might argue the suits are one of the most dependable cashflows feeding their bottom line.

 

[uOpt]

If Gibson wins this I can finally try DiMarzio pickups.

 

[GuitarStv]

If Gibson wins the lawsuit, does that mean that they'll be the only ones allowed to make double cream pickups?

 

[uOpt]

If Gibson wins the lawsuit, does that mean that they'll be the only ones allowed to make double cream pickups?

No, it would be free for everybody. They filed to cancel it.

 

[JOLLY]

Good.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Honestly, in this case, I'm cheering for Gibson.

 

[Clint 55]

Good, those foos Dmz. From the article:

At the time of the filings, DiMarzio was aware that Gibson was the owner of double-cream design and the PAF term in relation to pickups. Therefore it committed fraud on the US trademark office when it filed for the two trademarks.

Foos

 

[marcello252]

now I'll trademark the word water, there must be some country where it is legal to do it

 

[Mincer]

What's the average time to make it through the trademark courts these days?

 

[ICTGoober]

That's awesome. I'm behind that lawsuit all the way.

 

[Chistopher]

While I don't care enough about the issue to write an essay on a public internet forum during work hours, I think the term "PAF" has become generic enough that they will drop the trademark, I don't think they will drop the double cream trademark because at least in my eye, they have defended it well enough that no one else has tried with any success to use it. In all my years of looking at guitars, I have only ever seen in person a single double cream pickup that wasn't DiMarzio, and that was an actual PAF.

They could defend it quite a bit just off the grounds that for the longest time you could 100% say any double cream double hex pickup was a Super Distortion, and that's still a pretty safe bet to make today.

 

['59]

Modern guitar players would rather do anything instead of practice, even argue trademark law.

 

[Driver Blues]

What's the average time to make it through the trademark courts these days?

In 2021 DiMarzio won a case lasting 4 years to defend the same things they are defending now.

 

[GuitarStv]

No, it would be free for everybody. They filed to cancel it.

Fuck yeah! I'm 100% behind Gibson on this one.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Modern guitar players would rather do anything instead of practice, even argue trademark law.

Guitar playing is not all about practicing. It's not like we're not allowed to have fun and interact with others. Not because someone doesn't become the next Yngwie mean they can't be happy playing guitar.

 

[zionstrat]

There is no doubt that Gibson wastes a tremendous amount of time, money and mind share on legalese...

But if any other company had to get ability to file this suit, it would be logical, so this is one of the few times, in recent history, where I think Gibson is actually doing something intelligent.

Of course, they could be using the time and money for R&D to develop new products and markets that would pay off in a long haul, but it appears that say are better at filing lawsuits.