Guitar Journal: Laney Prism-Mini , The Log, & Fender Strat Legal Win!
Fender secures Stratocaster body design copyright in Germany & EU!
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Guitar Journal: Laney Prism-Mini , The Log, & Fender Strat Legal Win! · Source: Fender
This week, we look at the news across the world of guitar and check out some of the releases and recent announcements from Laney Amplification, which has a new mini do-it-all guitar amp. Plus Verso Instruments, who have reimagined the lap-steel guitar with The Log, and finally Fender, who has just won a landmark legal copyright case in Germany for the Stratocaster body shape!
Guitar Journal
Laney Prism-Mini
Laney Amplification has launched the Prism-Mini, a dinky Bluetooth-enabled mini-amp/speaker for guitarists with multi-effects, amp models, and more, that could be a winner for players on the move. It has 50 factory presets and another 50 left blank for users to make their own.
DSP, Flexible, & Portable
This mini amp has enough DSP power to run an amp, a cab, and up to 6 simultaneous effects, making it a versatile option for anyone needing a compact guitar amp. The 1.77″ full-colour screen also makes navigation easy, and it can be edited via the smartphone Tone Wizard app connected via Bluetooth.
The unit also includes a built-in tuner and drum machine, and streams audio seamlessly via Bluetooth 5.3. Making it ideal for practicing guitar and as a writing tool for anyone who needs a compact do-it-all mini guitar amp rig.
Laney has also added a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery (which provides around 14 hours of use), which can be charged via USB-C.
Affordable & Customisable
The ability to load third-party IRs and edit them in the app really makes it worth checking out. Price-wise, it is pretty reasonable at £99.99 and is available in either black or blue finishes.
The Log
Verso Instruments has reimagined the lap-steel guitar with their latest product, The Log. Apart from its modern styling and aesthetic, it has a unique, freely movable pickup system. Priced at €699, it is also not that expensive for a lap-steel-style instrument, which offers lots of creative possibilities.
Pop Lilac
The Pop Lilac finish on the steel body makes this instrument really stand out from the crowd, and the movable pickup system lets it also sound different from other lap-steel guitars. I love the colour, it’s pretty much the same shade of lilac as the AMT Japanese Girl mini-wah pedal I have on one of my pedalboard setups!
Adjustable Tones
The pickup can be moved across the 22.5” scale length, which allows players to achieve all manner of tones from one instrument.
Weirdly enough, I built a similar instrument myself in the early ’90s using a metal drainpipe, which I cut lengthwise, and I attached a blade-style humbucker on a long cable so I could move it in real time. Verso Instruments version looks a lot less ‘rustic’ than my old attempt, but it should achieve a similar result.
The Log appeals to me, mainly because I could use it to create unique tones, and with open tunings, plus a moveable pickup system, it makes it a very creative tool for all manner of music styles.
However, since I’ve made something like his myself in the past, I would be tempted to make another and save €700, as I have lots of spare pickups and guitar tuners kicking around in my parts box.
Budget Lap Steel
If you are on a restricted budget, the Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel is super affordable at only €111 and includes a stand in the price, or get it without a stand for only €89!
Fender Secures Copyright for the Stratocaster
Finally, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has just announced a major legal milestone, securing broad protection for the legendary Stratocaster body design under German and European copyright law.
The news has just been officially announced, so we don’t yet know how it will affect the guitar industry, but this could be a landmark case legally. This decision, handed down by the influential Regional Court of Düsseldorf on March 9, 2026, marks a significant shift in how guitar designs are protected across the European market.
AliExpress
The case centered on Yiwu Philharmonic Musical Instruments Co., a manufacturer based in China that distributed guitars through the global platform AliExpress.
In a decisive ruling, the court determined that the Stratocaster’s unique body shape is far more than a functional musical tool. It officially recognized the design as an original work of “applied art,” making it eligible for copyright protection across Germany and the European Union.
€250k Fine or Prison?
This ruling has immediate and far-reaching consequences for the industry. Fender now holds enforceable rights against any guitar using the Stratocaster shape that is manufactured, sold, or distributed within the EU, regardless of its country of origin.
The court has strictly prohibited the defendant from further sales and imposed severe penalties for future violations. These consequences include potential fines of up to €250,000 per infringement or even imprisonment for up to six months.
What’s Next?
This news was only shared yesterday, so the guitar world has yet to fully react to the ruling in Germany. Obviously, it could be the first step in closing down the use of this iconic guitar body shape, and potentially forcing other guitar brands to either license the shape or stop using it altogether.
Thankfully, Fender has a wide range of prices for the Stratocaster, from Squier all the way up to the Custom Shop, so hopefully, going forward, everyone will be able to afford a Stratocaster-shaped guitar.
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One response to “Guitar Journal: Laney Prism-Mini , The Log, & Fender Strat Legal Win!”
So many great brands that outdo Fender in all aspects including the price.
Honestly it’s a shame. Obviously Fender will give licenses to some manufacturers (with a fee) but it’s no way great for the guitar community.
I’m strongly against the knock-offs or plain copies whether they’re made in Asia or not but this does more harm than good in the long run.