Copyright law

[Volund Starfire]

I have found someone who is willing to do a project for my wife’s Bastila outfit.  The problem is, he does not want to make it exactly like it appears in the screenshots I gave him because of a possible violation of copyright law.  What is the stand in the 501st regarding this?  Also, where can I find the documentation to show this guy if we allow copyrighted materials in the 501st?

[FireStorm]

Every one of our costumes is the intellectual property of George Lucas and Lucas Film.  They haven't said it was OK for us to do this, only that we never get caught selling in a commercial atmosphere.  You will never find documentation because it doesn't exist.  Lucas doesn't nail us because he is being nice to us, not because he has it in writing that it is OK to copy his intellectual property.

[grumpydevil]

Here's an interesting quote for you:

"Lucasfilm vigorously protects its intellectual property rights in Star Wars," said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing...

Roffman noted that many Star Wars fans around the world produce replicas of Star Wars costumes for their own personal use and enjoyment, an activity to which Lucasfilm Ltd. has no objection. One such group, the "501st Legion" of stormtroopers, is a global organization that has often worked with Lucasfilm and its partners. "We appreciate that Star Wars has sparked the imaginations of fans around the world," he said. "We would never want to discourage fans from showcasing their enthusiasm for the movies. However, anyone who tries to profit from using our copyrights and trademarks without authorization crosses the line; they become an infringer and we will go after them."

If that doesn't tell this guy "it's ok", I don't know what will...

-Kyle

[SpitFireScout]

Basically if you start mass producing SW related material and making a good cut of money from it, the hammer that is Lucas lawyers will fall upon you hard.
 I don't see anything wrong with this guy building one suit for you, but i'm no law person. Makes you wonder what fine lines people are riding that build kits that we buy.

[Volund Starfire]

I actually got the "legalese" reply from the Rebel Legion boards.  Someone forwarded me the charter information and the laws regarding this.  Tank you all, you have helped me greatly... well, you have helped my wife which means you took the strain off of me... ya, you helped me!

[tavrikgannon]

Basically if you start mass producing SW related material and making a good cut of money from it, the hammer that is Lucas lawyers will fall upon you hard.
 I don't see anything wrong with this guy building one suit for you, but i'm no law person. Makes you wonder what fine lines people are riding that build kits that we buy.

There isn't even anything wrong with mass producing SW related materials. Others do it all the time. The difference between those whom Lucas goes after and those who he doesn't depends greatly on whether they have secured the necessary contract merchandise licensing. Companies like Master Replicas are allowed to mass produce because they secured some sort of merchandising license.... and Lucas gets a pretty hefty royalty off of it. As long as he is being paid royalties and the parties have oftained the proper licensing, legally there is nothing wrong with mass-producing material from the universe that he created.

 - Bill

[SpitFireScout]

thats exactly why us small guys aren't able to do anything more than our own stuff and maybe things for friends, too much overhead.