Satellite Amplifiers surrenders Coronet trademark, says it “cannot compete” financially with Gibson
Satellite Amplifiers has given up its trademark over the Coronet electric guitar, following a legal battle with Gibson.
In July, Satellite made public its dispute with Gibson over the solidbody guitar, alleging that the guitar giant was attempting to invalidate a “federal trademark” it had over the guitar design.
Today (1 December), Satellite announced over Instagram it has “surrendered” its trademark, citing an inability pursue the legal battle due to Gibson’s financial superiority as a major corporation.
“Earlier today, I gave up the ‘Coronet’ name trademark and have ceased production of the Satellite Coronet guitar, effective immediately,” Satellite owner Adam B. Grimm wrote. “I have been in this fight until it became purely about money, which is what it has become.”
He added: “I cannot compete in that fight against a major corporation when it is pitting finances against each other.”
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At press time, the United States Patent And Trademark Office shows Satellite’s registration over the Coronet mark to be pending cancellation.
The Coronet was a solidbody electric guitar introduced by Epiphone, a sister brand of Gibson, in the late 50s. Its original production run ended around 1970.
On 13 February 2018, Satellite registered a trademark for the Coronet, to produce and sell its own version of the instrument.
On 11 July 2020, however, Grimm announced in an Instagram post that Gibson was “attempting to invalidate [Satellite’s] federal trademark for the Coronet”. Gibson then issued a statement soon after, saying: “As a result of creating, launching, investing, and owning the trademark for the Epiphone Coronet, Gibson simply filed to confirm their trademark ownership on a ‘first-use’ basis.”
It added: “Gibson must protect itself from this and other similar opportunistic tactics, despite the potential distractions being created.”
Meanwhile, Epiphone recently announced a line of brand-new Coronet, Wilshire and Crestwood models.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
