A contentious legal battle over one of the guitar world’s most revered pedals has reached its conclusion as Bill Finnegan, creator of the legendary Klon Centaur, voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against music equipment manufacturer Behringer in late September 2025.
The case, which was handled by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, ended without public disclosure of settlement terms, suggesting a likely non-disclosure agreement between the parties.
The dispute originated when Behringer released a budget-friendly clone of the Klon Centaur, a pedal first introduced in 1994 that has since become one of the most sought-after guitar effects, often fetching thousands on the secondary market.
Finnegan’s lawsuit alleged multiple violations, including trademark counterfeiting, registered trademark infringement, and unauthorized use of likeness, particularly taking issue with Behringer’s product design and marketing approach.
Finnegan’s legal action targeted Behringer’s branding choices, not merely the circuit replication that defines today’s pedal marketplace.
Following the legal challenge, Behringer rebranded their controversial pedal as the “Zentara,” implementing new graphics that distanced it from the original Klon aesthetic while maintaining the $69 price point—a fraction of what original Centaurs command.
This affordable alternative remained on the market throughout the proceedings, with no public recalls announced despite the ongoing litigation. The newly rebranded Zentara is now readily available for consumers at €69 in Europe and comparable prices in other regions.
Finnegan’s legal team had issued multiple cease-and-desist letters to Behringer before ultimately filing the lawsuit, highlighting the escalating tensions between the original designer and the clone manufacturer.
The dismissal leaves the guitar community speculating about behind-the-scenes agreements.
Either Finnegan received satisfactory compensation, or Behringer’s visual modifications proved sufficient to address the infringement claims.
Industry observers note that the case highlights the persistent tensions surrounding intellectual property in the pedal manufacturing world, where cloning popular circuits has become commonplace.
The lawsuit’s resolution may establish precedent for how closely competitors can mimic iconic designs before crossing legal boundaries.
While circuit designs themselves often remain unprotected, this case emphasized the importance of visual branding and marketing representation.
Despite the legal resolution, the broader debate continues about the ethics of recreating legendary gear at budget prices—a conversation that reverberates throughout the guitar industry as manufacturers balance innovation with homage.
Some producers favor the original Klon for its distinctive frequency response that occupies a specific tonal space in the mix, making it harder to replace with budget alternatives regardless of legal outcomes.
Many professional musicians have discovered that diversifying their income through sync deals and licensing music for commercials provides a financial safety net when faced with market disruptions like the Behringer clone controversy.
