Martin Guitar Design Now Trademarked

Nazareth's  on Tuesday announced the trademark of the distinctive headstock configuration it has been using on its guitars for more than 161 years.

A press release from the company states, "This is part of an ongoing commitment to protect intellectual property, including the many innovations in design, manufacture and production of the finest instruments in the world."

Martin is one of the world's largest manufacturers of acoustic guitars.

"The clean, simple, iconic shape of the Martin Guitar headstock has long been recognized by consumers as one of the primary identifying brand and design elements of our guitars," said Gregory Paul, Martin's vice president of corporate operations. "Use of this shape by others can only be intended to create confusion in the marketplace."

For many years, Martin Guitar has been using various trademarks and proprietary designs and designations in connection with the sale of its acoustic guitars, both nationwide and internationally. This intellectual property includes Martin's guitar headstock that has been used since at least 1850.

The headstock configuration is now protected by U.S. Trademark Registration No. 3,048,307.

Any questions regarding this trademark, other C. F. Martin & Co. intellectual property, or possible counterfeiting should be addressed to Paul at P.O. Box 329, Nazareth, PA 18064-0329.