It’s been big week for Gibson’s legal team with US customs and Border Protection officers seizing 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars and in the same week, issuing Donald Trump with a cease and desist order to stop the promotion of his Trump brand Les Paul lookalike guitars. There is no suggestion that the two matters are connected.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, in conjunction with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) investigators, and Gibson officials, announced the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), had they been genuine, of $18,742,820 (USD).
CBP officers in coordination with HSI special agents and LASD investigators intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia. CBP’s Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence (CPMM) assisted in estimating the MSRP of the shipment. Gibson confirmed that the guitars intercepted were in fact counterfeit, noting that legitimate Gibson guitars are only Made in the U.S.A.
“These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and person-to-person transactions,” said Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “As we approach the busy Holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention to where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if is too good to be true it probably is.”
“We are grateful for the hard work that our U.S. CBP officers, HSI special agents, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators are doing to stop counterfeiting,” adds Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson. “Our partnership is designed to help every agency work together to protect consumers and our fans from being misled into counterfeits. Today’s announcement gives us hope that we are on the right track, working together as partners. To our music lovers and customers, no matter which American brand you decide buy, always buy direct from the source, or from authorized dealers. Our pledge is to protect the consumer and give them the tools to make the journey of playing guitar and making music the most amazing experience.”
“This is really emotional and personal for us not only because of the protection of our players, but because of our Gibson team at large, including the artisans at our craftories in Nashville, TN and Bozeman, MT, who are generations of American families that have dedicated their entire lives to handcrafting Gibson instruments,” adds Beth Heidt, Chief Marketing Officer at Gibson. “As Gibson celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, we are proud of our legacy of quality and craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships with our artists, and our efforts to promote and create more musicians that continue to shape the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across every genre.”
This seizure underscores the importance of purchasing Gibson guitars exclusively from Gibson.com and/or Gibson’s many authorized dealers worldwide, ensuring buyers receive our genuine instruments backed by Gibson’s 130-year legacy and quality guarantee.
“Intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime. Victims are American consumers, businesses, trademark holders and people who manufacture and sell legitimate products. Often, the illicit proceeds resulting from the sale of counterfeit or unlicensed products are funneled back to support a broad range of illegal activities,” said HSI Los Angeles Deputy Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco.
“Counterfeit products harm legitimate businesses, erode consumer trust, and damage the reputation of iconic brands like Gibson. Beyond the economic losses, counterfeit goods often do not meet safety or quality standards, leaving consumers at risk,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant William Kitchin.
Above (L-R): Cheryl Davies (CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles), John Pasciucco (Los Angeles Deputy Special Agent in Charge, HSI), William J. Kitchin ll (Lieutenant Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LASD), Andrea Bates (Partner, Bates and Bates), Beth Heidt (Chief Marketing Officer, Gibson), Raeann Vinton (Cultural Influence at Gibson), Africa R. Bell (Port Director LA/Long Beach Seaport, CBP), and Angel Villagrana (CBP Customs Trade Officer).
Above: A Fender and a Gibson counterfeit guitar.
Above: Counterfeit Gibson Les Paul guitars.
Also this week, Donald Trump’s latest grift has been hit with legal action. On Monday, Gibson sent a cease and desist order to 16 Creative, the owner of Trump Guitars, claiming that the design of its single-cut electric guitar model “infringes upon Gibson’s exclusive trademarks, particularly the iconic Les Paul body shape.”
Trump endorsed the acoustic and electric guitars, with one of the models described as “the only guitar officially endorsed by President Donald J. Trump.” The guitars are split into the American Eagle series, the Presidential Series, and God Bless the USA Guitars, with prices starting at $1,000 and surpassing $10,250 for models autographed by trump himself.
The website states that the guitars are “custom designed and developed by a Veteran owned company with the help of a master luthier.” They also aren’t entirely made in the United States but “have been manufactured by multiple providers and include parts/features that are both domestic and international,” going against Trump’s stated “America First” philosophy.
As reported on The New Republic website, “the guitars are only the latest attempt by Trump to hawk items with his name on them, and being elected president hasn’t stopped his efforts. In the past year, Trump has sold branded Bibles, sneakers, watches, NFT cards, items commemorating the first assassination attempt against him, and even fragrances celebrating his election victory.”
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