It's funny isn't it, how protecting ones intellectual property (or at least that's how JH see's it) can damage your sales, as is probably the case here.
By taking away peoples choice, they're less likely to choose your product, simple as that. Embrace competition and the intrinsic quality of a company will usually show through the players with discerning tastes.
As has been mentioned, protecting ones assets is fine, but there are means to do so without alienating your customer-base
If nothing else, this thread might act as a business lesson in 'Uk bassists' for Ric lol
Si