STAR WARS - STORMTROOPERS -- THEIR COSTUMES, AT ANY RATE -- GO TO COURT

The British prop designer who created the costumes of the Galactic Empire's Stormtroopers for the Star Wars films went helmet-to-helmet on Tuesday with lawyers representing Lucasfilm, which claims that he violated the company's copyright and trademarks. Designer Andrew Ainsworth has been selling replicas of the helmets and armor, which he claims are made for his original molds. While Lucasfilm won a $20-million judgment against Ainsworth in California two years ago -- not yet collected -- Ainsworth is countersuing, claiming that he copyrighted the design for the Stormtroopers. He is seeking a share of merchandising revenue.



09/04/2008