The ongoing legal dispute over the iconic “Dean From Hell” guitar design has taken another turn, as Buddy “Buddy Blaze” Webster, the designer behind its distinctive lightning bolt graphic, seeks to revive his copyright infringement lawsuit against Dean Guitars. Webster’s legal team is pushing for the case to be reinstated after it was dismissed in 2017 due to statute-of-limitations concerns. The lawsuit alleges that Dean Guitars has profited from Webster’s 1985 design without proper compensation, using it repeatedly in signature models associated with the late Dimebag Darrell.
Webster initially filed the suit in 2017, accusing Dean Guitars of unlawfully reproducing the lightning bolt graphic on Dimebag’s Dean ML guitars, a design he created over three decades ago. The guitar gained legendary status as Dimebag’s signature instrument and has been reissued multiple times, generating significant revenue. However, the case was dismissed by a Florida federal judge, who ruled that Webster had waited too long to file, as he was aware of Dean’s reissue sales as early as 2004. Under copyright law, claims must generally be filed within three years of the infringement becoming known.
On January 31, 2024, Webster’s attorney, Eric Bjorgum, argued before an appellate court panel that the statute of limitations should reset with each instance of Dean Guitars reissuing the guitar design. Bjorgum also claimed that Webster delayed legal action out of concern for public backlash, given Dimebag’s immense popularity and the sensitive timing following his tragic death in 2004. According to Bjorgum, Webster’s fear of alienating Dimebag’s fans played a role in his decision to avoid litigation earlier.
Dean Guitars, represented by attorney Douglas Rettew, refuted these arguments, maintaining that Webster had ample opportunity to sue when he became aware of the reissues nearly two decades ago. Rettew emphasized that Webster cannot rely on delays and later decide to take legal action, stating that his knowledge of the situation in 2005 should have prompted an earlier lawsuit. Addressing Webster’s concerns about fan reactions, Rettew countered, “Pantera was beloved then, and they are beloved now. That didn’t stop him from raising claims eventually—so why wait over a decade?”
- As of now, the resolution of this case remains uncertain. The three-judge panel has not indicated when a final decision will be reached, leaving the fate of the lawsuit hanging in the balance. Regardless of the outcome, the case underscores the complexities of copyright law and the enduring legacy of Dimebag Darrell’s iconic guitar design. The music world waits eagerly to see how this battle will unfold.
