The case likely won’t go away easy either. Lucasfilm recently won a $20 million copyright-infringement case against U.K.-based Shepperton Design Studios, which made and sold pirated Stormtrooper and other Star Wars helmets. I’m not sure how long Osburn’s been building his sabers, but the cheapest fully assembled one appears to be $249 and the company sells a number of kits, light tubes and handles as well. And if they sold well, he could be in for a whopping loss.
Pirated Lightsabers Targeted by Lucasfilm Ltd. in Trademark-Infringement Lawsuit [press release]
Lucasfilm Ltd. Wins Major Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Star Wars Stormtrooper Pirate [press release]
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Josh Goldman
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November 28, 2006
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The idea of “owing it to their fans” is bullshit. As long as High-Tec Magic doesn’t pretend to be Lucasfilm Ltd., whether a fan chooses an official lightsaber or an unofficial lightsaber is just a matter of competitive products and pricing. If the lightsabers made by High-Tec are shoddy, one would expect their pricing would have to be much cheaper in order to sell.
Trademark and copyright laws on lightsaber related works may apply, but that’s purely for the financial benefit of the creator of the idea, and to encourage creators to make such ideas, NOT for the benefit of any particular fan once the idea already exists.
I Cant see how you can copyright words, ok, so the fictional names are made up and can be copyrighted, people know what theyre buying , as long as the item is not a direct cast of the original and the seller is not stating it to be the licencees make then i cant see the problem ,
ive had this argument with ebay many a times
if i hand make something and the best way to describe it is “star wars inspired prop” , I personally see nothing wrong in that , if i put star wars anakin skywalker lightsaber , then ive apparently overstepped the rules as ive used 4 trademarked words
the word star wars has been used by US militaary for years and in world war one there were german stomrtroopers so you get my point
im going to copyright my name so when you say it youll owe me £!