From Stairway to Sailing: Can Trade Dress Protect Iconic Guitar Designs?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close move from sports jerseys and Florida State legends to yacht rock lore and double-neck guitars to discuss how patents and trade dress shape the guitar industry. Using Stratocaster contours, SG cutaways, and iconic silhouettes like the Les Paul and Flying V, they explain why utility and design patents expire and how trade dress depends on nonfunctionality and acquired distinctiveness. The discussion shows how signature headstocks and logos became enforceable trademarks and why early, disciplined enforcement matters for consumer brands. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.