That's right: back in the day part of Fender's case against Tokai was over them using this Fenderish script, even though it's their own name:



That offends against a part of trademark law concerned with "passing off". The gist of which is that even if close inspection reveals the item to be recognisably distinct from the original ordinary members of the public might reasonably mistake one for the other. It ain't permitted.

Cheers - C

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.......I'm also given to understand that Fernandes, when producing a spot on clone of the Stratocaster, suffered the seizure, by Fender, of an entire shipment and the headstocks broken off the guitars. I had the occasion to see Carlos Santana's guitar of that name and type displayed at the Sony showroom in midtown about 15 years ago. What great repro.

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"Another day in paradise!"

For those who want to know the proper procedure for a new official decal for your Fender guitars, please read below:


Revised January 31, 2007
Information subject to change

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
8860 East Chaparral Road Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85250-2610 USA
(480) 596-9690 - www.fender.com


Thank you for your recent request for a replacement decal, and your continued interest in FMIC Instruments. In order that we may service your request as quickly as possible, you will need to comply with the following list of procedures and then submit the required documentation to the nearest FMIC Authorized Service Center. (Please be aware that not all FMIC Dealers are authorized as FMIC Service Centers, so make certain you are working with a currently authorized FMIC Service Center).

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO AN FMIC AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER:
1. A written request, stating the specific decal you need and the reason you need it.
2. Your instrument.
3. A photograph of the entire front of the instrument.
4. A photograph of the entire back of the instrument.
5. A close-up photograph of the headstock of the instrument showing the need for a new decal.
6. A close-up photograph of the serial number on the instrument. FMIC stringed instrument product serial numbers are located either on the front of headstock, the back of headstock, the back of neck, the heel of the neck, the neck plate or the bridge plate.

The FMIC Service Center will examine your instrument and the photographs to verify that the instrument is actually in need of a decal, and that it is the same instrument represented in the photographs. They will then submit your formal request, your photographs, and a letter of verification that your instrument is indeed a genuine FMIC product in need of a replacement decal, to our Customer Service Department here at FMIC for review. If your request meets with the criteria we have established for decal replacement, a new decal will then be sent to your FMIC Authorized Service Center. Please be aware that our decal selection is limited to the types of decals we use in our current production. We do not have all decals, for all instruments, from all periods. If your request is approved, we will select the closest period-appropriate decal we have to fit your needs. While FMIC does not charge for replacement decals, the Service Center may assess you a service charge for processing your request and for applying the decal to your instrument.

FMIC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL VERIFICATIONS
IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT YOUR INSTRUMENT IS A GENUINE FMIC PRODUCT.
If you need assistance locating an FMIC Authorized Service Center near you please contact our Consumer Relations Department at 480-596-7195, or by e-mail to consumerrelations@fender.com, and a representative will be happy to assist you. Service center listings may also be found at www.fender.com. We hope this information is helpful to you.


THANK YOU FOR PLAYING FMIC PRODUCTS!
Fender® Squier® Guild® Jackson® Charvel®
Gretsch® SWR® EVH® Groove Tubes®

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

......just in case someone thought that the company didn't take the matter seriously.
Great contribution RK.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Now me, I love my Strats, I have a few of them. I am currently in the process of putting together a guitar with a P-Rails and Pearly Gates as I fancy something with 'buckers (had a nice LP for a while but it just wasn't 'me'). I have a quality licenced Mighty Mite body and neck in the 'S' style because the shape and feel are what I like so much. It ISN'T a Fender, it feels 'not right' putting any logo on it as it hasn't been anywhere near Corona, Ensenada or any other Fender plant. It is my mad professor creation and I want to take the credit for it (if it works and is vaguely playable).
IMHO, get a re-fret, even get the neck re-profiled if you want a different shape. Or get an aftermarket neck and simply make it your own.

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Standard Stratocaster w/mid-boost & Lace Sensors
Am. Standard Stratocaster FSR Daphne Blue
Tele-bration Mahogany Telecaster
Fender Pro Junior w/custom 2x10 tweed cab - nice!
Koch Twintone 2
The odd Parker and PRS

If this is directed at my post--and I'm not sure--don't worry--my picture was a joke, pure & simple--I cut out a logo on paper, taped it on and took the picture, then the paper came off.

When I do get around to putting a logo on it--it will not be an existing company's logo.
(Or a former company's name--unless it's the name that this guitar really is--a Granada.)
but possibly will be a spoof name...

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Zontar: This issue comes up from time to time. Everytime it does we become a bit more enlightend. Mike Roberts post is priceles.

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"Another day in paradise!"

http://www.guitarcentro.com/shop/category.php?id_category=16


I HAD to......................

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

.....at least its not heroin.

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"Another day in paradise!"

lol.

Funny how this thread has panned out- almost no word from the OP

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I'm surprised that the company hasn't put this outfit out of business. They're dealing in their trademark.
Think I'll cue Mike Roberts at Fender on to that link.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Mike Roberts of Fender reports that FMIC is protected under federal trademark law. Ths company in question is located outside North America which apparently puts them beyond reach. Mike stetes that he had been given to understand that the quality of the transfers is poor.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Check out Sentinal Custom Graphics. The guy I deal with is Art. Nice guy who did my Telecaster water slide decal. Tell him, "Paris" refered you to him.

PAris

I'm generally not cool with the use of unofficial Fender decals and stuff, but I have had cause to use one in the past - In a fit of madness several years ago, I stripped all the finish of my mid 80's Japanese hardtail Strat's neck with the intent of doing some form of custom paint job.

Never happened, and I was left with a nameless Fender for a few years. Went about things the right way and contacted Fender, to be told that the correct decals for my guitar were simply unavailable!

So, went with a small UK custom decal company who did a superb job, and now everything is as good as it left the factory and my Fender is once again a Fender.

The whole process felt a bit like trying to buy some dodgy porn from a shady guy in the pub though. "Sooo, you wanna buy some 'decals'? Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more..!"

Mike Roberts has provided a protocol for going through FMIC to deal with such a problem.

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"Another day in paradise!"