you can see in these images that the guitars are VERY similar in body shape, and I can understand gibsons concern! when little jimmy goes to see a concert, and sees the guy using a gibson les paul, then he goes to the guitar store to buy one, he buys a prs instead because he thought it was the same.

I've got nothing against PRS, but I definately have nothing against a gibson, and being the owner of one, must say that they are very good guitars. I think what is going on is, gibson les pauls have always been used by famous bands and artists, and it wants to continue to be used by them, but PRS could start stealing the glory, and in another 20 or 30 years, PRS could have the legacy that gibsons have right now, while gibson is forgotten about.
just my opinions