[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Not a lawyer...but this is most likely due to the fact that there was a gap in Fenders' attempts to enforce its' patents ....copyrights?....if I read the article correctly...before this current 5-year period.

At the time Fender conceived and originally produced these revolutionary instruments, there was very little (not "nothing") like them. Copys have been available for quite a long time. At the same time, I cannot conceive of any other reason for the copycats to have duplicated their distinctive shapes OTHER than to "pass off" their goods as genuine Fender.

'57 strat

'60 strat

'64 strat

'65 jazz bass

'65 jazzmaster

'65 elec XII

'66 elec XII

'97 strat plus

[SeeSharp]

I cannot conceive of any other reason for the copycats to have duplicated their distinctive shapes OTHER than to "pass off" their goods as genuine Fender.

I'm guessing you don't play guitar? The Fender Stratocaster shape has a very natural feel and I can easily see why other guitar makers would copy it. I would copy it if I were making guitars.