As noted last month (see The X-Files: “Gillian’s Charity Auction”), Gillian Anderson has offered a great number of memorabilia items and “event/experiences” for auction on eBay, with all proceeds benefiting a number of excellent charity causes. The highlight of these auctions is a set of the FBI credentials used by Ms. Anderson in her role of Dana Scully in the television series, The X-Files. Yesterday, eBay canceled this auction due to a violation of policy… yet today, as well as historically, unlicensed and copyright infringing copies of this authentic prop are freely listed and sold on the auction service website. [Read more…]
kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props: Update 4, eBay Third Party Reporting Case Study
This is a follow-up to previous articles (see kellysheroesmilitaria Original Props…, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3) in which original prop auctions by “kellysheroesmilitaria” on eBay were compared with matching items available for sale from online retailers, as well as non-movie prop purchases made on eBay by “kellysheroesmilitaria” and items that appear to match being offered for sale as original props under the same eBay account. A reader drew my attention to a new set of auctions, which is followed by a note about eBay third party reporting in practice. [Read more…]
Profiles in History 32 Held Yesterday, Today
Profiles in History 32 was held yesterday and today, with the vintage photos and related material making up Day 1 and posters, one sheets, props, costumes, and related material making up Day 2. The auction was held on site at Profiles in Calabasas Hills, with off-site bidding available over the Internet via eBay Live Auctions, by fax, and by phone. [Read more…]
Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets Update: High Court Ruling Excerpts on LFL v. SDS Case
Given the British High Court ruling on the case of Lucasfilm vs. Andrew Ainsworth (see Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice), and the additional information available from the court documents, I thought it would be a good opportunity to build on the prior OPB article exploring the “prototype” Stormtrooper helmets (see Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets) trading in the marketplace as original and authentic precursors to the helmets used on set and filmed in Star Wars: A New Hope. [Read more…]
Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Full Document from Royal Courts of Justice

“Exoray” from the RPF is hosting a full HTML version of the High Court ruling on the case between Lucasfilm and Andrew Ainsworth in the legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. I have not had time to review the full ruling in detail, but thought readers would be interested in reviewing it first hand: [Read more…]
Lucasfilm vs. Ainsworth High Court Ruling: Let The Spin Begin
News reports are flooding in with regard to the Lucasfilm legal dispute over the trademark and copyright of the Stormtrooper helmet and other helmets and armor produced for Star Wars: A New Hope. This legal battle, transplanted from the United States to the UK, is between George Lucas and his Lucasfilm production company and Andrew Ainsworth and his Shepperton Design Studios. The High Court judge handed down his ruling today, and the outcome, or “victory”, is dependent upon who you ask or what news story you might be reading. One headline reads “Lucas Wins Stormtrooper Case” while another proclaims “Judge’s force is with stormtroooper helmet designer“, which would lead one to believe The Guardian probably has it correct: “George Lucas reaches stalemate in legal battle over Star Wars stormtroopers“. [Read more…]
More eBay/PayPal Integration Via Dispute & Resolution Processes
Per “The Chatter – eBay’s Blog About The Company and the Community”, changes have been made to eBay’s “Resolution Center” and PayPal’s “Dispute Console” that integrates the two dispute processes for those applicable transactions. PayPal policy changes also offer buyers more incentives to use PayPal for payment on eBay. This is further evidence of ongoing efforts and trends in which PayPal as a method of payment is becoming ubiquitous with transactions made on eBay, PayPal’s parent company. [Read more…]
Comic-Con 2008: Event Recap & My Personal Experience
I thought I’d share my own personal impressions and experiences about Comic-Con International 2008 in San Diego, to close out my series of articles and features on the event. Some bits admittedly off topic… [Read more…]






