Fanned-fret 8-string classical guitar

[wheatwilliams]

This is not a tapping instrument question, per se, but rather a fanned-fret question.

An earlier thread here discussed the patent on the fanned fretboard held by Ralph Novak.

In the 1990s, English classical guitarist Paul Galbraith commissioned luthier David Rubio (now deceased) built a fanned-fret 8-string classical guitar tuned low A to high A (one fifth lower and one fourth higher than a conventional guitar).

http://www.rubioviolins.com/

Galbraith uses this guitar to play transcriptions of keyboard and lute music from the Renaissance to Classical periods, as well as contemporary Brazillian music. He has recorded several major label albums using this guitar.

The guitars are currently being built by an English luthier named Martin Woodhouse.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/james.woodhouse1/8-stringgall1.html

I have never read of any connection mentioned between Galbraith, Rubio, Woodhouse and Novak.

Is the fanned-fret 8 string classical guitar in violation of Novak's patent? Does the patent not apply in England or the EU?

[mrINFINITY]

Wheat,

thank the lord for another person that knows about the killer 8 string classical guitars ;). If I could have anything in the world I'd have Adrian Lucas build me a fanned fret 8 string classical guitar. Galbraith is awesome.
But to answer your question, the patent isn't enforced if the guitar is built outside of the united states. The patent fee only has to be paid if it is going to be sold in the US.

-Alan