Hayden Christensen sues USA Network over Royal Pains

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.

Lucasfilm C&Ds makers of ‘real lightsaber’

It BURNS FLESH. No thanks.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.

LFL wins Shepperton infringement case in the UK?

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)