Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
Hayden Christensen and his brother are suing the USA Network over the comedic drama Royal Pains, saying that the channel ripped off the concept from a pitch they made in 2005.
I enjoy Royal Pains, but as someone who couldn’t even make it through a half hour of Jumper, I probably wouldn’t have tuned in if Hayden starred. (If that was even the plan.) I’m no lawyer, but seems that’s a point in the Christensen’s favor.
The makers don’t call it a lightsaber (though the internet certainly does) but the Spyder III Arctic laser certainly looks like one, and that’s prompted Lucasfilm to send the Hong Kong company Wicked Lasers a cease and desist.
I’m no lawyer, but the appearance of the laser is pretty blatantly inspired by its fictional forbearer. And anything that might keep “the most dangerous laser ever created” out of the hands of stupid geeks is fine by me.
Billboard advertiser Skywalker Outdoor Inc. is feeling the wrath of Lucasfilm’s legal department. The company had agreed in 2007 to stop using the name, but didn’t followed through.
The U.S. decision in favor of Lucasfilm can’t be held up in the United Kingdom because a judge has ruled that the stormtrooper armor in question are “not works of art.” (via)
The original case of Lucasfilm suing designer Andrew Ainsworth over his reproductions of the stormtrooper outfits ended with both sides claiming victory; Now they’re at it again.
The mayor of a town in south-eastern Turkey named Batman is suing!
Some people just don’t know when they’re beat. But I suspect it’s going to take one hell of a revision to make the thing publishable. (via)
It’s been long enough that fandom has almost forgotten about the Harry Potter Lexicon court case, but the verdict is in… And it’s for Rowling! Once again, I recommend keeping an eye on Cleolinda’s Fandom Wank post for the continuing story.
Lucasfilm has won their British copyright infringement case against Shepperton Design Studios. A High Court judge affirmed that LFL is indeed the rightful owner of the stormtrooper costume designs and that Andrew Ainsworth’s company infringed by selling unlicensed reproductions of the iconic armor. No damages are mentioned in the UK case, but LFL may choose to pursue an appeal under UK industrial design law.
UPDATE: A story from the AP notes that both sides are claiming victory; More details at TheLawyer.com. (via)
Yes, seriously, knitting patterns. Which were free. Although it appears someone, not the originator (who was “furious” over that development) was selling them. Hmm. (via)