yes, it is. There is a lot more to George's reasons not to want to restore the original versions. First he said for years that it was impossible because the original negative was cut up for the SE's and no longer existed. When this was proved to be false he started on the whole "too expensive" thing. A new copyright was created for the 1997 SE's. From what i have heard, as they were no longer the original films any percentages originally given to certain cast and crew were altered. He is well know to hold a grudge towards anyone he has fallen out with. As long as the altered films are the only versions available then he doesn't have to pay his ex-wife Marcia the percentage she would be owed for the originals. Dave Prowse still hasn't received any money for ROTJ SE because Lucas claims that it never made a profit. Seriously? He could release the version we got on the bonus DVD only because it was a 1993 laserdisc master so any fees owed would have already have been paid.