Yo cannot be “inspired” to copy an intellectual property. That is the very definition of copyright violation.

So why is it wrong for the laser company to be “inspired” by star wars and take that inspiration and create its own product?

While not an expert, copyright is still very important to me and I am well aware of the laws and what they can do.

That statement is designed specifically to spin the situation so they don’t sound like they are in violation. Its hyperbole suggesting that their device cannot be used or appear like a lightsaber, but that is not what they are being sued over. They are playing stupid, and you are buying into it.

It DOES look similar to a lightsaber, and others have published reviews of the product coming to the same conclusion. Lucasfilms’ claim isn’t that they tried to make a lightsaber, and specifically states that Wicked doesn’t directly market this “as a lightsaber” or even using the term, just that it strongly resembles the styling and hilt used in the films and is marketed to play to that resemblance.

In copyright, you don’t have to prove their intent, just the result.

Simple google search references McCarthy’s Desk Encyclopedia of Intellectual Property, where infringement exists when one work appropriates “the fundamental structure or pattern” of another as grounds for copyright infringement. The various lightsaber hilts are directly trademarked as intellectual properties and these are closely designed in similarity to look much like their property.

Not saying he will win (I would think he would) but he certainly has grounds to pursue this and a very strong case.

The Wicked Laser product only generically resembles a Star Wars lightsaber. It’s design is not specific to any particular hilt used in any of the films, toys, marketing, etc…

I’m not a copyright expert–and I’m guessing you are not either–but I’m inclined to agree with the company’s press release:

“While press or customers may have coined the nickname Lightsaber when talking about the product, Steve Liu, CEO of Wicked Lasers, has never compared this or any of his products to the Jedi weapon wielded by Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader – not to mention the other obvious differences between the two products (e.g. PAS3 is 1 watt peak output power while Lightsaber is1 billion watts peak output power; PAS3 has non adjustable infinite length beam while Lightsaber has adjustable finite length blade; PAS3 is real while the Lightsaber is imaginary, and so forth).”
-Company Press Release

I’m anxious to see how this turns out. If Lucas manages to make the cease and desist order stick, I’ll owe you a drink, Rodney.

Dave seriously? Do you even know what an intellectual property is??

You might want to read a little bit about copyright law and intellectual property. Lucas is well within his rights to pursue this and will win.

The lightsaber, its style, its hilts, its appearance and description are all copyright. They are protected by Lucas’ intellectual property.

This likely will not go to court because the Wicked Laser people have no leg to stand on. Its pretty clear from the styling of the device that they were playing to the lightsaber imagery when marketing this product. Lucas doesn’t have to pretend that it looks like a lightsaber when dozens of respected tech blogs (and anyone with eyes) are saying this is styled to look like a lightsaber.

Legally he doesn’t have to prove intent of this presumed marketing strategy, just the result. And there is plenty of proof out there. Lucas attourneys will just have to bring in the props and compare and the styling is obvious. Wicked Lasers knew what they were doing, Lucas lawyers just happened to notice too.

What has Lucas copyrighted?! Lightsabers were not real, man. It’s just an idea–a very cool idea, but an idea none-the-less. It would make sense to sue if another FILM or BOOK had incorperated lightsabers–because that would be ripping off the IDEA.
Say someone created a fully operational transporter system (i.e. Star Trek)–should they be sued? Of course not, because while they were depicted in a show, they were never actually real. Was Motorolla sued when they came out with the first flip phone (which looked an awful lot like a Star Trek communicator)? Of course not.
As long as Wicked Laser does not call their product “lightsaber,” Lucas doesn’t have a leg to stand on here.

Tech blogs are all calling these lightsabers. No, Lucas doesn’t own the world saber. And the article clearly says he isn’t saying they have called it a lightsaber or used the term. But its pretty clear that they are styled to look just like a lightsaber.

And there are a million ways to make this look “cool as hell” without making them look just like a lightsaber. They could have made these less cylindrical, more blocky and instantly they woudlnt look like lightsabers.

Lucas isn’t being “childish” Not protecting your copyright would be irresponsible. He is doing what he is legally responsible to do about this obvious attempt to monopolize on his franchise without actually coming right out and saying it.

Star Wars was not stolen.

Much of it is inspired by World War 2 combined with works of Kurosawa, but not stolen at all. Lucas was inspired by themes found in those works as well as historical elements that were adapted to fit.