Original ANH Stormtrooper helmet and Armor - Just the Facts

[exoray]

But do you truly think this case would set an international precedent or even just a US/UK precedent for the life of IP rights?

Yeah it will set a precedent of 15+ (25+ if registered) year old movie props being in the public domain in the UK... Yeah you might not be able to use the copyright 'name' but a toy company could put out 1:1 replicas and models of say Daleks, K-9, and Sonic Screwdrivers in a generic time traveler box and be kosher to flood every toy store in the UK...

You could dismiss this as a 'buddy' system response but the fact that these people (Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Brian Henson, son of Jim Henson) are said to have plead on behalf of Lucas for the Supreme Court to hear the case IMO speaks volumes about where US productions stand...

 

[ghostryder]

Now that is interesting.

FWIW, Andrew just posted this on his Facebook page:

This is the history exactly as it happened, Liz Moor or the Art Dept and Plaster shop had absolutely no part to play in the creation of the Stormtrooper helmet and it is nonsense to continue to pursue this claim.

Red Clay stormtrooper | Facebook

 

[exoray]

FWIW, Andrew just posted this on his Facebook page:

This is the history exactly as it happened, Liz Moor or the Art Dept and Plaster shop had absolutely no part to play in the creation of the Stormtrooper helmet and it is nonsense to continue to pursue this claim.

Proof positive that the guy is the scum of the earth...

 

[defstartrooper]

I don't think this will have any impact really on movie making, replica props and costumes are really just a niche sideline part of the business it's hardly a core part of their income.
This court case isn't about the money it's about the studio wanting total control over everything.
They'll still be able to punt and peddle their merchandise with zero competition for 15-25 years and after that forever be able to sell their official branded merchandise, and we all know people are suckers for a brand and an official stamp.
Look at just how many bootleg trooper helmets are out there and available did DP,MR,eFX or anyone else have problems shifting stock despite there being lots of cheaper options available ?

 

[CSMacLaren]

Now that is interesting.

FWIW, Andrew just posted this on his Facebook page:

This is the history exactly as it happened, Liz Moor or the Art Dept and Plaster shop had absolutely no part to play in the creation of the Stormtrooper helmet and it is nonsense to continue to pursue this claim.
​

Red Clay stormtrooper | Facebook

Seems like the information and discussion on this thread is stinging him and forcing him to respond.

I'll write a poem called "Ode to a Lying Pond Puller."

 

[TI3918]

brian i am buying your book this week! cant wait to read it! have a great new year!

 

[gizmo]

I'll write a poem called "Ode to a Lying Pond Puller."

I think he`s pulling alot more than just ponds.

 

[Dpp1978]

Yeah it will set a precedent of 15+ (25+ if registered) year old movie props being in the public domain in the UK... Yeah you might not be able to use the copyright 'name' but a toy company could put out 1:1 replicas and models of say Daleks, K-9, and Sonic Screwdrivers in a generic time traveler box and be kosher to flood every toy store in the UK...

The precedent is nowhere near that wide. All it really does is set out a new purposive test for defining sculpture, narrowing it from what was in danger of becoming an unduly wide one. One case had the moulds for a frisbee deemed sculpture. This new test is in keeping with the spirit of what the concept of copyright was created to protect.

Just because the Stormtrooper was deemed to be industrial design doesn't necessarily mean that all movie props will be deemed so. Now the test is in place, and should it be affirmed in the Supreme Court, any future litigants will know how to tailor their arguments to attempt to meet the new standard.

One of the inherent dangers of pursuing a cause of action where the law is unclear is that your interpretation of it may be rejected.

In any case it there are and have long been plenty of shady toy companies making bootleg wares and selling them to toyshops. I've got a couple of bootleg Stormtroopers from long before this mess, and have seen plenty of toy laser pistols and laser swords clearly based on props from Star Wars.

I firmly believe the effect this case will actually have is being overstated.

 

[geordietrooper]

ainsworths supporters have come out of the woodwork on his facebook discussion page

 

[exoray]

Anyone what to challenge the delusional chap?

AA says "I went on to make over 200 characters for the film"

Challenge him to list 200 of his 200+ character contributions... lollol:lol

Heck he should be able to rattle the first 100 off the top of his head without even trying :wacko

And remind the dolts on Facebook that it's not slander or libel unless proven in a court that you knew/know full well your statements were 100% fabricated lies, if they are believed facts with any supported evidence they do not meet the threshold of libel or slander... In the US where there is a factual uncontested US Federal court ruling to support the claims that he is a liar, kinda makes a libel or slander pursuit frivolous, heck even the UK ruling would likely invalidate any libel or slander issues as the Judge cleared insinuated and pointed to facts that AA was a a little to eager to claim credit for creating everything we know on the planet earth...

 

[exoray]

OK I looked at the fools Facebook page and now I see he is claiming his serated back and multiple part top/back helmet was in fact a failed 1st attempt prototype design? :wacko :lol

My first effort was to make the helmet in several pieces and using a serated hose encapsulated in the back to form the undercut.

I honestly believe the chap is off the rocker, and I mean that in a real world medical sickness way...

From the Christies auction of the serated helmet...

According to Andrew Ainsworth... ...They [Sheppeton Design Studios] initially made six helmets out of khaki-coloured plastic and when they realised that design was not entirely satisfactory, they then made these prototypes to experiment with the different material. The serated edge at the back of the helmet was abandoned for the following batch of helmets as it was too difficult to mould.

Now it's obvious that even at that point he was proclaiming to be the one calling the shots, but regardless he clearly states is was an after the fact alteration...

 

[carbonitekid]

ainsworths supporters have come out of the woodwork on his facebook discussion page

Abi Hynes is a freind of AA's daughter. :rolleyes

 

[SeanB13]

A few interesting highlights from Andrew's YouTube video.​

''Creating the original Stormtrooper'' YouTube - Creating the original Stormtrooper

I like how @ 1:13 it shows a shapeless lump of clay, then @ 1:18 all of the detail has been roughed in without showing a single step in the sculpting process. perhaps he doesn't want to show his proprietary technique of attaining detail with such a precise tool like the Bondo, shaper file blade.​

Maybe it's just me, but do these look anything alike?​

It's interesting that he used the pre-made forming tool instead of the one he just ''sculpted''. Another interesting aspect is he identified the head section as ''back of head with original 76 tool'', but didn't identify the face plate as the original 1976 tool.​

He demonstrated the process of the face, head, ''mouth piece'', even the bubble lenses, but nothing with regards to the ears, they just magically appeared.​

You can clearly see that there's absolutely no evidence of the tear detail, not even in the inverted pic in the top right-hand corner. I wonder where it went???​

Even though he gave it his best shot, not even Andy can take that load of BS he just tried to pawn-off seriously.​

 

[NAZGÛL]

I dont know... A little over the top with the hate guys...

 

[geordietrooper]

i just had a thought if he made the vac tools like he said why did he have no knowledge of the tear detail
( i think most people know the answer to that one lol ) its funny how he can remember fiction but not fact

 

[exoray]

its funny how he can remember fiction but not fact

Heck he can't even remember the fictional story he created last year, it changes every time he tells it, and when you call him out on the changes he changes it yet again...

I dont know... A little over the top with the hate guys...

Not to me, IMO his spitting on the grave of a deceased artist that can no longer speak for herself and flat out stealing her rightful due credit (as well as countless others including our our Brian Murr) is criminal, and honestly one of the most despicable things anyone can do a an artist that creates something... IMO he fully deserves the hate and than some...

 

[NAZGÛL]

Bullies usually think they have every right to their behaviour. This man has a family Im sure.

 

[exoray]

Bullies usually think they have every right to their behaviour. This man has a family Im sure.

Andrew is the biggest bully there is in this situation, big tough guy pushing around a decease lady as he goes around pawning off and exploiting her artistic creations as his own...

How dare anyone like us stand up for the helpless deceased lady that is being bullied by this guy... Shame on us... :wacko

 

[NAZGÛL]

And that gives you any right to behave like this?

 

[exoray]

And that gives you any right to behave like this?

Behave like what? You mean continuing to tell and spread the truth, giving a defensive voice to Liz while pointing out the compounded delusional lies of crook and thief that continues to exploit a deceased ladies legacy and creation(s)?

Yes, I fully believe and feel I have the right to do exactly that... It's the very least I can do to for the lady that created one of the most iconic memories of my life! I will forever owe her for those memories and I'll be damned if I'll just stand by and let a pond liner former take credit for everything Star Wars!

And I'll tell you what I'll proudly wear your imposed scarlet 'Bully' letter (as I'm sure many others will in this thread) while I continue to give a voice and defense to Liz and her legacy from the scumbag that continues to try and steal it from her...