Star Wars director George Lucas loses latest round in bid to stop replica Stormtrooper costumes
Star Wars director George Lucas has lost the latest round in his legal bid to stop a man selling replica Stormtrooper costumes.
The 65-year-old’s production company, Lucasfilm, has seen the Court of Appeal reject their claim that prop designer Andrew Ainsworth, who created the original suits and helmets, was breaching any copyright.
It stated that the helmets were not works of art and could not be covered by UK copyright laws. Ainsworth can now continue to produce the outfits. Lucas is planning to appeal the decision.
A spokesman for the company said: “This ruling deals a significant blow to the copyright protection afforded not only to Star Wars but to every other great success of the cinematic arts, from Harry Potter to Dr Who and beyond.”
The man was paid £35 to make 50 Stormtrooper helmets for the movie in 1976 and almost 30 years on, he found one of the helmets and sold it to a collector.
He then started making more from the original mould and sells them through his company Shepperton Design Studios, for up to £1,800 each.