The iconic Klon Centaur overdrive pedal, a legend in the guitar effects world, is at the heart of a new legal battle. Klon LLC has filed a federal lawsuit against Music Tribe, the parent company of budget gear giant Behringer, alleging that Behringer’s recently released Centaur Overdrive is a “blatant counterfeit” of its highly sought-after original.
Klon Centaur
The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts federal court, accuses Music Tribe of “wilful trademark counterfeiting, trademark and trade dress infringement, false designation of origin, passing off, and unfair competition.” Klon LLC is seeking substantial damages and injunctive relief to halt the sale of the Behringer pedal.
The $69 Clone vs. The Thousand-Dollar Original
Released in November 2024 with a price tag of just $69, Behringer’s Centaur Overdrive is one of many affordable pedals attempting to capture the fabled tone of the original Klon Centaur.
The authentic Klon pedal is renowned for its transparency and unique “transparent overdrive” sound, often fetching thousands of dollars on the resale market due to its scarcity and cult status.
However, Klon LLCargues that Behringer’s offering goes “far beyond the line of permissible inspiration versus unlawful copying.” The core of Klon’s complaint centers on Behringer’s alleged deliberate replication of the Centaur’s distinctive aesthetic and branding.
A “Cumulative Assault” on Branding
According to the lawsuit, Behringer’s Centaur Overdrive features:
- Identical Gold Metal Casing: Mimicking the original’s instantly recognizable enclosure.
- Centaur Logo: Directly copying the mythical creature graphic.
- Prominent “CENTAUR” Wordmark: Using the same font and color as the Klon original.
- Lack of Behringer Branding: Unlike typical Behringer releases, their own branding is conspicuously absent from the faceplate, potentially misleading consumers.
Beyond visual similarities, Klon further alleges that Behringer intentionally misled consumers by using Klon founder Bill Finnegan’s “name and likeness” in promotional materials without his consent.
Deceptive Marketing and “Actual Confusion”
A key piece of evidence cited in the complaint is a YouTube video released by Behringer.
Klon asserts that this video “extensively discusses” the original Centaur while “deceptively and continuously” displaying Behringer’s pedal in a manner that falsely suggests an official connection or endorsement.
Court documents reveal that “consumers expressed extensive actual confusion… with many rushing to purchase Defendants’ counterfeit pedal believing Defendants are delivering on a mass scale a discounted product licensed or endorsed by Plaintiffs.”
“Defendants’ conduct goes far beyond the line of permissible inspiration versus unlawful copying, and it has all been done for a quick and easy buck, the very opposite of what Plaintiffs and their famous Centaur pedal are all about,” the suit states.
Finnegan Speaks Out: “Never Authorised By Me”
While design cues from the Centaur are common in the pedal industry, Klon argues that Music Tribe’s “cumulative assault” on its branding – encompassing the name, visual likeness, and unauthorized references to Finnegan – distinguishes it from other “Klon clones.”
In a statement shared on Klon LLC’s official Instagram, founder Bill Finnegan confirmed the lawsuit, clarifying: “I have never been consulted in any way about this pedal, it has never been authorised by me, and I have never had any involvement whatsoever in its design, production, or marketing.”
klondirectsales
Finnegan added that he would not comment further during litigation but reminded consumers that authentic Centaur units are still available through Klon’s official eBay channel under the seller ID “klondirectsales.”
As of the time of reporting, neither Behringer nor Music Tribe has issued a public response to the lawsuit.
This high-stakes legal battle is set to send shockwaves through the music equipment industry, raising critical questions about intellectual property, brand protection, and the boundaries of inspiration in product design.
Behringer Centaur Authorised Dealers
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