Fun indeed.
The first important point I will make here is that Matt signed this declaration "May 11, 2005".
The complaint is dated May 13, 2005.
Matt was involved from the very beginning even before the complaint was issued.
Also, from the judgement papers:
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17-22
In truth, defendant Ainsworth did not design the plaintiffÂ’s helmets and costumes, which were instead based on plaintiffÂ’s pre-existing artwork, models and sculptures and were painted and detailed by plaintiff; defendentsÂ’ copies are not made from the original molds used to create the actual Stormtrooper helmets and costumes and the TIE fighter pilot helmets and are not exact duplicates of plaintiffÂ’s helmets or costumes;[/b]
What is highlighted in bold is false. There were no models or sculptures prior to AA presenting the prototype helmet(s) to LFL. But they needed to add that because my opinion is that they would not win the case on the basis of McQuarrie's paintings alone.
I fail to understand how if someone defaults that then the defendant can add on whatever he wants to the accusations. It is not ethical to do so without permitting defense by the plaintiff...IMHO.
The bottom line is, TE took what he could learn from AA and turned it against him.
I actually agree about use of the imperial logo...that was a no-no on AA's part.
The copyright paintings from 1975 are just entitled "Star Wars" and "Detention Corridor of Prisons of Death Star". No mention of what characters are in the painting.
In the statement by Matt (his full name is in that public document):
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9-11
Also, in our original conversation he told me that the face, the legs and some of the arm molds were already finished by others before he became involved.[/b]
I have no idea what conversations Matt had with AA, but it would be impossible for AA to have said this. It is false. And that is not based on anything I've heard or read from AA. There are at least three people in charge of aspects of the production at that time who would also know that this is not true.
He is also miscontruing what Andrew told him....and everyone...that he did not have the original molds for the armor. That's common knowledge, but Matt presents it as if Andrew has no molds whatsoever. Matt knows exactly what AA has and failed to mention it in regard to the armor. For the record, I have doubts about the armor....I agree that AA might have copied some parts. But there's no doubt in my mind about the helmets.
Whew....I need a break from all this legal stuff
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