In 2006, LFL won a copyright case in California against Shepperton Studios and owner Andrew Ainsworth for selling unlicensed helmets and armor. (He was prop designer and made the stuff from original molds.) Now the case is going before high court in London – and Ainsworth is countersuing Lucasfilm for a share in the merchandising and over who owns the rights to the armor.
UPDATE: Another article at timesonline.co.uk.
I don’t know. Even at that point in time, I would think that if you were signed to create something for a film, it is owned by the people who own the film.
I have to side with LFL on this one, myself.