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Post by Steverus Zac on Dec 7, 2006 0:00:37 GMT -5
In case some folks have not heard of this yet. LFL is bringing infringement action against High Tech Magic, a lightsaber buidler: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801497.htmlI wonder how Ultra, Random etc. will be affected. You have to think they would have served them notices to if they felt it necessary. One big difference I see between Random and High Tech is no reference to "Star Wars" or Lightsaber on Random's website. Both of course are LFL trademarks. |
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Post by Leda EmBorr on Dec 7, 2006 0:55:13 GMT -5
My understanding, from speaking to several prop makers, is that as long as you don't say it's a light saber (versions of spelling included), and make no references to Star Wars, LFL pretty much leaves you alone. I wouldn't bank on that though...
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Post by Stey Fann Jull on Dec 18, 2006 19:43:34 GMT -5
yeah... Lightsaber is a trade mark. Like I saw on ebay, A seller was calling then laser saber or light sword.
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Dec 18, 2006 23:40:59 GMT -5
it seems to stem more from the use of copyrighted terms and claims of authenticity.
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Post by kivaanzion on Dec 25, 2006 21:33:49 GMT -5
They probably have bot programs that surf the internet- searching for keywords such as 'lightsaber", "Star Wars" etc. Those not using the keywords may be going unnoticed. You know- the term lightsaber may be copyright protected... how about any laser sword? As far as I can remember, the lightsaber in A New Hope was the first time I had ever seen a sword made of light/energy in a movie.  My point is- is it ok to make unlicensed reproductions of copyrighted items so long as you don't refer to them as what they really are? Such as calling an Obi-Wan Kenobi costume a "Wise Mentor" costume? Of course- I'm talking about people making money from selling these items- not harmless costumers such as ourselves. Otherwise there would be several thousand arrests at the various conventions throughout the year. LOL!  |
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Post by Olos Nay on Dec 31, 2006 5:45:32 GMT -5
You know- the term lightsaber may be copyright protected... how about any laser sword? As far as I can remember, the lightsaber in A New Hope was the first time I had ever seen a sword made of light/energy in a movie. in a movie, yes... but the concept of the light/energy sword has been around before Star Wars. Unless I am wrong (please do prove me wrong, I like to learn) the first mention of such weapon in novels would be in the 40s by Edmon Hamilton. It was referred as a light sword and was pretty much described like the modern lightsaber is. However, LFL holds copyrights and trademarks on the name "Lightsaber" and "Lightsabre" (correct spelling) This means that if you sell a "lightsaber" you are illegal. If you make a 3 foot glowing stick out of a sword handle, you're not. LFL's lawyers protect their copyrights and trademarks, and the liscences they grant to replica makers. Its hard to prevent people from having a light Katana if they like to make some, but the word Lightsaber cannot be used to make profit without written permission of that trademark owner. But I agree with Ki Vaan - if you get unnoticed, you're OK. That seams to be the major view at LFL... fans are allowed, money-makers not. |
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Post by Ky-Wan Zann on Jan 19, 2007 3:34:07 GMT -5
even Lucas still calls them laser swords in interviews a lot, he doesn't do the copyrighting the lawers do
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Post by Steverus Zac on Jan 27, 2007 23:39:37 GMT -5
An update on this ongoing story: Lucas won against High-Tech Magic...to the tune of $250K. What has got to be concerning to saber makers is this ruling by the presiding judge: Whyte also barred the Maryland firm from using the trademarks and required that they not sell "any facsimile of a lighted or glowing sword ... and/or parts designed to enable others to build" infringing lightsabers.Read about it here: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/25/BUGFDNOCN11.DTL&hw=lucasfilm&sn=001&sc=1000 |
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Post by kivaanzion on Jan 28, 2007 10:56:07 GMT -5
Uh-oh!  Looks like we may all be carrying MR sabers eventually as the sabermakers get picked off one-by-one.  That and the cost of purchasing a Parks saber (for instance) will skyrocket on ebay!  $250 000... That's gotta hurt. |
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Solinbeb Newau
Message Board Member
There are many ways to learn the ways of the Force, but only those who have joined it may know best.
Posts: 1,181
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Post by Solinbeb Newau on Jan 28, 2007 13:25:38 GMT -5
I think it was originally more than they were making replicas of the official sabers and not unique ones like other sites do.
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Post by Olos Nay on Jan 28, 2007 17:13:14 GMT -5
it is not a ruling made by the judge, they mutually agreed on a settlement. High Tech Magic accepted to not do any more light sword facsimile in order to reduce their fine... nothing related to what would have transpired from a judge ruling - they'd have a bigger fine, but based solely on the copyright violation...
mainly its High Tech acknoledging being stupid by writing "star wars lightsabers like in the films" so often with no licence.
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Post by Steverus Zac on Jan 29, 2007 0:52:10 GMT -5
I hope so Olos. I want our little hobby here to flourish and grow and the more diversity out there the better.
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Jan 29, 2007 19:31:38 GMT -5
well we'd still be good......until Gl decided to go after the Sink Tube manufacturers and Covertech for selling to us for "nefarious" purposes.... then Lowe's and Home Depot would start banning SW fans....... |
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Thes Nazud
Message Board Member
Shadow Jedi and Discordian
Posts: 52
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Post by Thes Nazud on Mar 27, 2007 1:49:53 GMT -5
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Post by Hasid Lafre on Mar 27, 2007 6:04:00 GMT -5
The day LFL or GL comes to my house saying I need to hand over my lightsaber or hes gonna sue me iam gonna beat him with a shovel. then sell all my sw stuff on ebay and make myself a profit.
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