Pantera Guitarist’s Estate Fends Off Copyright Claims

Finnegan secured a victory for client Dean Guitars and the estate of Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott in a copyright dispute over the lightning bolt graphic associated with the late musician. Guitar technician Buddy Webster claimed that he owned the copyright to the lightning graphic, but on appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that his claims are time-barred under the three-year statute of limitations. The court’s decision is significant because for the first time, it establishes precedent from the Eleventh Circuit on the statute of limitations for copyright cases that center on ownership claims.

Finnegan partners Doug Rettew and Anna Naydonov said, “We are honored to have been able to obtain this victory for rock icons Dimebag Darrell Abbott, the Pantera band, and Dean Guitars. The ‘Dean from Hell’ guitar will always have a special place in the hearts of Pantera fans, and we are excited to have played a role in vindicating Dean’s and Pantera’s right to continue offering reproductions to the public.”