“We don’t hate Fender”: LSL Instruments praises Thomann’s lawsuit against Fender and hopes “normality” will return soon in its battle with the guitar giant
Boutique guitar brand LSL Instruments has provided an update on its ongoing legal battle with Fender, reassuring that it doesn’t have any hate for the company.
LSL Instruments was one of a number of brands to receive a cease-and-desist from Fender over alleged infringement on the Stratocaster body shape in recent months. It confirmed in June that it has hired attorney Ron Bienstock as its representative, who famously won a 2009 trademark case against Fender, in response.
Since then, instrument retailer Thomann has revealed that it is suing Fender over its campaign of cease-and-desists, and also confirmed that its sub-brand Harley Benton had received a letter over its guitar designs. While LSL is hoping for a return to normality, a new statement shares its gratitude for Thomann’s push back.
READ MORE: Fender CEO responds to cease-and-desist backlash, says company is “not suing anybody”
Johny Miller, Director Of Business Development at LSL Instruments, tells Guitar.com, “We have been getting a lot of old and new friends of LSL asking how we are doing through all of this. We are so appreciative of all the genuine concern from the guitar community. It’s kind of crazy. I have been doing this 25 years now. 10 of those years with [founders] Lance and Lisa at LSL, and the other 15 with two other well known brands and a handful of MI retailers.
“In all these years, I have known that there is in fact a ‘guitar community’ out there, but it has never been unified by any means until now. It is truly remarkable to say the least. What an unexpectedly positive outcome to something that started from such a negative beginning,” he says.
“To answer the question. We are stressed but we’re still here. We’re pretty well overwhelmed but very hopeful. Ron Bienstock has been so wonderful to work with and we are in good hands. Ron’s responses and Hans Thomann’s recent involvement have filled us with hope. Thank you Ron and thank you Hans! This stuff takes courage and the whole guitar world should be grateful for you both.”
Miller also confirms that LSL is still building guitars in the meantime, and will be releasing “a few new models” that are “different and unexpected” in the near future.
“I speak plainly here and can not speak for everyone else. We don’t hate Fender. Fender is Fender. We’d love nothing more than for them to exist and do what they do for people that want to own their products to support their legacy. But it has to happen the right way. That’s all we want for ourselves and every other builder out there as well. A chance to survive and have our brands, that we poured our life’s blood into for decades, outlive us. Anyone who is a ‘guitar person’ probably wants the same. We look forward to and hope for normality to return as soon as possible,” he adds.
“We also hope that Fender’s clear path to direct sales and retail locations worldwide is wildly successful. That statement may surprise you, but this would actually put a defining line between boutique guitars and Fender. We could finally be two separate realms with very little shared space. Unity in the boutique realm full of healthy competition and mutual respect, and a complete and total bifurcation between underdogs and giants. Full success on both sides. That sounds lovely doesn’t it? Stay unified guys! Unity prevails!”
Stay tuned to Guitar.com for further updates on the matter as we get them.
The post “We don’t hate Fender”: LSL Instruments praises Thomann’s lawsuit against Fender and hopes “normality” will return soon in its battle with the guitar giant appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
