Creations of the human mind, whether they are inventions, songs or visual art works, are easier to copy than to create. Kun Shoulder Rest has set the standard in shape, design and materials for more than 30 years, and Kun innovations are patented and trademarked around the world. As a result, Kun is the leader in shoulder rest design and technology.

The underpinnings of Kun's success in the shoulder rest field are its commitment of time and financial resources to research and develop creative new ideas, to produce the tools to realize them, and to promote them through marketing and advertising. Patents are awarded to encourage and safeguard this process. They protect inventors by giving them the right to exclude others from making, using, selling or offering for sale the patented invention for the life of the patents.

Nonetheless, an unfortunate bi-product of Kun's position in the marketplace are the many would-be shoulder rest manufacturers who attempt to copy our patents and trademarks. This obliges us to constantly monitor the marketplace for infringements and copies of Kun products.

For instance, one very significant development which the producers of "KUN" copies regularly attempt to replicate is our patented folding mechanism, which we call the "Collapsible", while the most commonly copied feature is our trademarked distinguishing appearance, the Kun shape. Another much-infringed patent is our limited rotation (locking) device that prevents the rest from hitting the instrument.

Patent and trademark infringement are serious legal issues, which undermine the efforts of all inventors. Moreover, they create legal difficulties for both the producers of these copies and the companies that sell them. Indeed, wholesalers or retailers are often unaware that anyone who offers for sale or uses infringing products has an equal legal responsibility for the infringement.

At Kun, we embrace genuine invention and creative ideas, and welcome true competition. For that reason, we appreciate the efforts of all distributors and retailers who reject other companies' attempts to copy our products. Their integrity protects the integrity of our industry and encourages innovation that will truly benefit musicians. Permitting and assisting pirates to freely copy a patented invention brings innovation a halt.

Marina Kun