Fender CEO's AI-bandmate comparison deepens PR crisis amid copyright row

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Fender CEO Edward 'Bud' Cole gave an interview to T3 in May 2025 marking the Telecaster's 75th anniversary, in which he made remarks comparing cover songs and bandmates to AI that have since gone viral. The comments initially went unnoticed but resurfaced recently, adding to an already serious public relations crisis for the guitar brand. Fender had previously angered the guitar community by sending cease-and-desist letters to independent builders, asserting copyright over the Stratocaster body shape. The backlash has been significant enough that several prominent guitar-focused YouTubers have publicly stated they will no longer purchase Fender products.

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