Re: [Harp-L] Little Walter Amps are wow?

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 12:21 PM, Paul Cantin <cantin46@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Any Amp  maker in the USA also has the right to name his Amp whatever he
wishes without censorship as well."

Uh, no he does not.  Even if the maker of a product insists it is named for
himself, he may not use a trademarked or copyrighted name.  He may not even
use a name that too closely mimics or impersonates a trademarked name.
The courts are full of lawsuits over these matters.

"Little Walter" may not be trademarked (I don't know) but I think it is
extremely crass for an amp maker to pick the flesh off the bones of a blues
icon to sell a product.  I find it HIGHLY dubious that an amp maker -- who
surely knows something about music history -- is unaware that "Little
Walter" is a legendary name in music.  The heirs of Little Walter Jacobs are
the rightful custodians of his legacy.  I'll bet a quick call from them to
an attorney would result in a very hasty re-branding of these
amps.

-- 
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/