DeMars Patents Awarded

Two design patents were recently issued by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to Dan DeMars, head of DeMars Guitars of Norwich VT.

The first, US D559,302 S was awarded on January 8, 2008 for the “headstock portion of a musical instrument”. This patent covers both the DeMars guitars and basses, since both employ a common headstock design. Dan comments, “The headstock shape of any stringed instrument is often its commercial signature. Our 13-degree pitchback tapered headstocks incorporate two large holes along the midline which contribute an almost art deco influence.”

The second design patent, US D566,166 S, issued on April 8, 2008, addresses the unique F-clef shaped soundhole on the body of the Long Trail basses. Dan describes the interest in protecting this design: “The F-clef itself is in the public domain and therefore is not patentable. Its use as an ornamental design for the bass guitar body is, however, and we knew that it was in our best interest to protect this unique design from potential copying and infringement.”

The company’s third – a utility patent on the placement of a piezo transducer at the neck heel of the DeMars instruments – has been applied for and is currently being reviewed by the USPTO. Its issuance is expected within the year.