STAR WARS - STORMTROPPERS INVADE HIGH COURT

Stormtroopers from the STAR WARS films invaded London's High Court on Tuesday (08Apr08) after a battle erupted over who owns the costumes' copyright.
Filmmaker George Lucas is suing Andrew Ainsworth who created the iconic costumes for his iconic movies.
Ainsworth designed the Stormtrooper helmets and was paid $70 (GBP35) each for 50 helmets made for the original 1977 film - and he says he owns the merchandising rights and is entitled to a multi-million dollar pay off.
And the famous costumes were brought into the courtroom as part of the case.
On the first day in court, Michael Bloch QC, representing Lucasfilm, looked at the armour and helmets surrounding him and told Judge Mr Justice Mann: "The gentlemen sitting in front of me and around me, who are known throughout the world, are the subject matter of the entire case.
"You will hear a lot about helmets and armour.
"As far as we know they are half human and half non-human and are known as Stormtroopers. What we are dealing with are characters of the imagination."
Ainsworth is selling the Stormtroopers for up to $3,600 (GBP1,800). Lucasfilm has already successfully sued him for $20 million (GBP10 million) for copyright infringement in California in 2004.
The case continues.