Lucas loses Stormtrooper copyright to Ainsworth

[bumblebee]

Interesting thread...*goes to watch the social network*

 

[Kamandi]

Art design on SW was done by Joe Johnson, Nilo Rodis-Jamero and Ralph McQuarrie.

I have no idea what difference if any that made in court.

 

[EVILFACE]

Also looking at the article, the thread title should edit to say lost European Copyright. The US copyrights would still be in place and this person would not be allowed to export his item here.

 

[Kamandi]

The items were made in the UK so UK law holds.

I have a feeling the guy would be legally within his rights to sell here but his site still says he won't. maybe it's not worth picking another fight.

Is there a lawyer in the house?

 

[Devil_666]

Art design on SW was done by Joe Johnson, Nilo Rodis-Jamero and Ralph McQuarrie.

I have no idea what difference if any that made in court.

So basically this dude isn't claiming it's his design or that he created it etc. All he is doing is asking for the right to replicate/recast/reproduce and sell the item that I'm assuming he owns/kept, which is an original storm trooper helmet(s) that he fabricated.

Sound right?

 

[Kamandi]

In addition to fabricating and producing the Stormtrooper armor he also did all of the other helmets and numerous props in the first movie.

His website:
https://www.sdsprops.com/

 

[Star Puffs]

So basically this dude isn't claiming it's his design or that he created it etc. All he is doing is asking for the right to replicate/recast/reproduce and sell the item that I'm assuming he owns/kept, which is an original storm trooper helmet(s) that he fabricated.

Sound right?

No.

Ainsworth claims, with evidence to back it, that the production design of the Stormtrooper is his original work, although he obviously had conceptual material to guide him.

 

[Star Puffs]

Also looking at the article, the thread title should edit to say lost European Copyright. The US copyrights would still be in place and this person would not be allowed to export his item here.

Remind me again where George Lucas elected of his free will to make his films?

I love how the typical American reaction is to heap scorn on a foreign legal decision that dares differ from the usual money/power-makes-right rulings in America.

 

[gibby]

No.

Ainsworth claims, with evidence to back it, that the production design of the Stormtrooper is his original work, although he obviously had conceptual material to guide him.

I'm sure Brian Muir and others who were also involved in the creation of the armor and helmet would say differently.

 

[thenammagazine]

I have no idea about any of this situation so I'll ask: Who actually created/conceived and designed the helmet? Was it Lucas or the guy suing? Did Lucas draw it up and ask the dude to simply make it and then the guy turned around and sued claiming it was his? Or did that guy come up with the entire thing himself!? Or was it a collaboration!?

Unless specified in the contract, I'd imagine an artist's work belongs to whoever's paying for it.

The items were made in the UK so UK law holds.

I have a feeling the guy would be legally within his rights to sell here but his site still says he won't. maybe it's not worth picking another fight.

Is there a lawyer in the house?

Other than sovereign soil, UK has no jurisdiction in the United States.

Remind me again where George Lucas elected of his free will to make his films?

I love how the typical American reaction is to heap scorn on a foreign legal decision that dares differ from the usual money/power-makes-right rulings in America.

And vice versa there, toots.

 

[devilof76]

It sounded like there was no contract between Lucas and Ainsworth.

Didn't Lucas have full merchandising rights to the first movie? Are prop reproductions merchandise?

 

[thenammagazine]

It sounded like there was no contract between Lucas and Ainsworth.

Didn't Lucas have full merchandising rights to the first movie? Are prop reproductions merchandise?

I would imagine yes, given they directly/indirectly promote the film.

 

[The Mike]

Huh. I wonder how this will effect the new "Legend" Stormtrooper helmet announced by eFX? They are supposedly going off of a screen-used piece which would essentially be an Ainsworth piece wouldn't it?

 

[devilof76]

It doesn't sound like the court gave him any exclusive right to the mold. It just ruled that Lucas couldn't stop him from selling helmets, or demand royalties.

 

[thenammagazine]

Huh. I wonder how this will effect the new "Legend" Stormtrooper helmet announced by eFX? They are supposedly going off of a screen-used piece which would essentially be an Ainsworth piece wouldn't it?

If it's licensed out of the U.S. I'd imagine it doesn't mean ____. Wasn't Ainsworth's whole deal just pushing for the right to sell replicas? Not looking for ownership over it?

 

[d_jedi1]

There is a rather lenghty discussion on therpf discrediting his claims.
https://www.therpf.com/f47/lucasfil...sfilm-vs-andrew-ainsworth-109659/index23.html
post 552 sums it up nicely.
"I only speak for myself. What chaps my butt about the guy is not that he is making money off of Lucas. It's that he has LIED. Lied to his consumers about what he has. Recast a RotJ suit and tried to pass it off as legit. Lied about sculpting ANYTHING related to Star Wars and is trying to STEAL credit from true artisans like Liz Moore. The guy could not sculpt his way out of a bathroom.

As far as this case goes, he didn't really "Win" anything. The Justices there have said that in this instance, the Trooper buckets are "utilitarian" and that Lucas can, and likely will, be coming around looking for his money and the UK courts will allow it."

 

[EVILFACE]

lol, and he is lying about it. Tyical foreigners.

 

[daikkenaurora]

Can I copyright Lucas' belly? I'm sure I helped make that in some way.

 

[devilof76]

What's wrong with outsourcing?

 

[Kamandi]

What's wrong with outsourcing?

Nothing. Until it happens to you.