Visionary Conceptual Artist and Designer Ralph McQuarrie Passes Away at Age 82

Legendary conceptual designer and artist Ralph McQuarrie, best known for his work on the original Star Wars trilogy, passed away today at age 82.  His vision was fundamental in the creation of many characters and worlds in popular films, and is greatly respected in the industry and by fans.  Having passed today, a number of sentiments are being expressed on the Internet as news spreads.  As a huge fan of Star Wars myself, I truly appreciate his significant contributions to the works and his contributions to other important films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T. Read more

Congratulations to Tom Spina Designs on ‘The Dog Strikes Back’ 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial (Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina Creatures)

I just wanted to give a public congratulations to my friend Tom Spina and all his cohorts over at Tom Spina Designs for their outstanding work on the new Star Wars themed commercial produced for the Superbowl this month.  The ad, “The Dog Strikes Back: 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial” features a cut to a stunning recreation of the A New Hope Mos Eisley Cantina, with creature masks, prosthetics, and some costumes made by the Tom Spina Designs team (10 aliens in total).  Incredible. Read more

Lucasfilm vs Ainsworth UK Supreme Court Ruling: The Mainstream Media Interviews Andrew Ainsworth

Having followed the news reported by the mainstream media following Wednesday’s UK Supreme Court decision, there have been some interesting accounts coming from the Ainsworth camp yesterday and today, including a very simplistic characterization of how the helmet and armor made their way from two to three dimensions (completely leaving out the sculpture contributions by Ms. Liz Moore and Mr. Brian Muir).  It will be interesting to see how this saga will continue to play out following the ruling in England. Read more

UK Supreme Court Rules in Lucasfilm vs Ainsworth Star Wars “Stormtrooper Helmet” Copyright Legal Battle

Since 2007, the Original Prop Blog has been covering the legal battle between Lucasfilm Limited and Andrew Ainsworth of Shepperton Design Studios over the sale of unlicensed replica Star Wars props and costumes.  The UK Supreme Court is today published their ruling on the two issues presented to them.  Of the two, the most critical came down to whether the stormtrooper helmets themselves constituted “sculptures” in a way consistent with UK law.  The court ruled that they do not, and thus delivered a victory to Ainsworth, which also leaves those following the case wondering about the ramifications to copyrights and copyright law and the consequences of the decision.  The second question before them was decided in favor to Lucasfilm, which involves IP holders and their rights to pursue copyright claims in those cases where such laws are violated in other jurisdictions. Read more

San Diego Comic Con 2011: Prop Store Brings “Comic Khan”-Centric Exhibit to Show

2011 marks Prop Store’s third year as an exhibitor at Comic Con in San Diego, and as has been the case in the past, they have brought an assortment of props and costumes from an assortment of film and television programs.  As part of their t-shirt promotion this year, they have billed their experience “Comic Khan”, which is emblazoned across the shirts and the Khan costume from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is in the coveted display case spot at the corner of their exhibit. Read more

“Star Wars: The Blueprints” Book To Feature Original Production Material from Lucasfilm Archives, Now Available To Order Online

A new book, Star Wars: The Blueprints, has been announced via the official website for the work, which includes a video trailer, sample pages, and a great deal of information about the incredible tome.  The limited release book features blueprints from the Lucasfilm Archives and has been put together by author J.W. Rinzler, who has previously produced amazing works about the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Read more

Bloomberg Report on Lucasfilm vs Ainsworth ‘Star Wars’ Stormtrooper Helmet Copyright Lawsuit; UK Supreme Court Decision Still Pending

Bloomberg today published a video report on the Lucasfilm Ltd. vs. Andrew Ainsworth dispute.  After Ainsworth prevailed in the UK Court of Appeals in late 2009, the case was argued before the UK Supreme Court in early March.  Mr. Ainsworth features prominently while giving a tour of his studio; Lucasfilm is represented by a two sentence written statement.  While the short broadcast captures an interesting mainstream media perspective of the case, it lacks a substantive review of the two specific legal issues under consideration in the pending UK Supreme Court decision, noting  that “the legal arguments are detailed and complex“. Read more

UK Supreme Court Publishes Case Details for Lucasfilm Limited vs Andrew Ainsworth Copyright Dispute, Awaiting Judgment

While the hearing for Lucasfilm Ltd. vs. Andrew Ainsworth was held before the Justices early last month, the case details were only just recently published on UK Supreme Court website.   While the Judgment is currently pending,  the case summary offers a concise outline of the two issues to be considered by the court. Read more

‘The 1709 Blog’ Offers Coverage, Insights, Legal Analysis of Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth UK Supreme Court Hearing on Stormtrooper Copyright

Hugo Cox of The 1709 Blog, “dedicated to all things copyright, warts and all“, published a substantive feature today entitled “Star Wars: the Hearing”.  This article provides coverage of the three-day UK Supreme Court hearing that took place last week, with in person observations and legal insights, analysis, and observations on Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth in the related copyright dispute over the Stormtrooper helmets as seen in Star Wars: A New Hope. Read more

Facebook Hosts Ongoing Public Debate Over Original Sculptor Credit for Star Wars Stormtrooper (Andrew Ainsworth or Liz Moore & Brian Muir)

Amid the topics of copyright ownership, enforcement of a U.S. judgment in the UK, determination of “works of art”, and other issues as featured in mainstream media reports about the ongoing legal battle between Lucasfilm LTD (LFL) and Andrew Ainsworth and his Shepperton Design Studios (SDS), what has not garnered as much focus is the debate over which artist originally sculpted the iconic stormtrooper helmet design that was adopted for use in Star Wars: A New Hope and the films that followed.  Read more

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