Fender Wins Copyright Case for Stratocaster Guitar Shape in Germany in 2026; Legal Battle Extends to Major Guitar Brands

Key summary

In March 2026, Fender received a ruling from the Dusseldorf court in Germany protecting the body shape of the Stratocaster guitar as a work of applied art under copyright law. The case originated from the sale of imitation guitars by the company Yiwu Philharmonic Musical Instruments through AliExpress, which resulted in a Default Judgment. Subsequently, Fender sent claims to approximately 60 businesses, including Yamaha, PRS Guitars, Thomann, and Amazon. Thomann, the owner of the Harley Benton brand, entered into a legal dispute. Meanwhile, PRS argued that the Silver Sky guitar model was developed in collaboration with John Mayer. This case reflects the conflict between protecting the intellectual property of the original manufacturer and competition in the market for S-style guitars, which has become an industry standard since 1954.