87GT Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Doesn't he have a good thing going on right now by ruining my childhood memories and movies? He has enough money then he says this. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/07/06/light.saber.lucas/index.html?hpt=C2 (CNN) -- "Star Wars" creator George Lucas wants to force a laser company to stop making a new, high-powered product he says looks too much like the famous lightsaber from his classic sci-fi series. Lucasfilm Ltd. has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Hong Kong-based Wicked Lasers, threatening legal action if it doesn't change its Pro Arctic Laser series or stop selling it altogether. "It is apparent from the design of the Pro Arctic Laser that it was intended to resemble the hilts of our lightsaber swords, which are protected by copyright ... ," said the letter, dated last month and provided to CNN by Wicked Lasers. The letter calls the company's newest laser "a highly dangerous product with the potential to cause blindness, burns and other damage to people and/or property." Steve Liu, CEO of Wicked Lasers, said his 7-year-old company has been selling similar lasers for years and has never compared the product to the Jedi weapon wielded by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and others in the "Star Wars" franchise. "Most people feel it's kind of ridiculous ...," he said. "We would never use any comparison like that to 'Star Wars' or a lightsaber or anything like that." He called the $199 gadget's design fairly typical for a handheld laser and said it isn't a copy of the lightsaber. "Lucasfilm shouldn't be saying something like that," he said. "They're a big company that needs to protect their trademarks. Maybe they're having to look like they're protecting their trademark in case they need to [protect it again] later." The cease-and-desist letter doesn't accuse Wicked of using the term "lightsaber" in its marketing -- which Liu said is primarily aimed at industrial, military and research customers. But it notes coverage from technology blogs that have frequently made that comparison. A headline from tech blog Gizmodo called the device "a real life lightsaber." The Daily Tech blog called it "perhaps the first consumer laser weapon" and said it "comes in sleek packaging that looks, unsurprisingly like a lightsaber." "These references make it clear that the public is being led to believe that the Pro Arctic Laser is an official lightsaber device and/or copied from our design," the Lucasfilm letter said. A Lucasfilm spokesman did not immediately respond to an e-mail request from CNN for additional comment. It's not the first time the company has sought help from the courts over perceived copyright threats to its lightsaber laser swords. In 2006, Lucasfilm filed suit against a Maryland-based company that produced lightsaber replicas, saying the products violated "Star Wars" trademarks. Liu acknowledged that his company's new Spyder III laser is dramatically stronger than lasers from the past. Wicked Lasers advertises it as "the world's most powerful portable laser." When coverage in the blogosphere increased orders, he said, Wicked altered the laser to add safety features. A safety lock feature prevents accidentally turning on the laser, and an extra lens reduces its power by 80 percent until it's removed. Every laser is shipped with safety goggles, he said. "You've got a lot of people who think this is kind of a cool toy, so we've decided not to ship the laser as it was originally advertised," he said. More than two weeks after receiving the letter from Lucasfilm, Wicked has not stopped selling or changed the laser. The letter asked for written assurance of changes within five business days or threatened "the initiation of legal proceedings without further notice to you." Liu said he hopes it doesn't come to that. "Personally, they're some of my favorite movies," he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Do the Chinese have to obey our copy right laws...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04silvrz Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 i don' tknow, but I want one of those lasers. it's only 200 bucks. that thing is SWEET! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 http://www.wickedlasers.com/images/products/arctic_series.jpg At first I was like come on, then I saw the pic of the product. LOL Although I am pondering, how does George havd a copyright to a product that doesn't exhist? I mean say we find a way to make a "light saber" does that mean all the work and energy that goes into building one and bring it to market mean nothing for those people? Lucas automatically gets to sue and sell the "light saber" because he dreamed it? Well then dammit I'm gonna dream a type of sandwich and have McDonalds start making it and sue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickey4271647545519 Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 i have gotta get me one of those!!! http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Spyder_III_Pro_Arctic_Series-96-37.html video shows how bright it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted July 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Only in America can you sue over hopes and dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 The laser on my AK-47 hog blaster was tagging a mountain over 10miles away with ease. It's ungodly bright for a HongKong knockoff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 I'm not mature enough to own one of those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 I'm not mature enough to own one of those Me either, FBI would be at my house because I bounced it off the International Space Station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC K9 Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Holy crap I want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1647545496 Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 just make your own you can light cigarettes and burn paper with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin R. Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 Look up the Wicked Laser Torch Flashlight. Thing fucking burns everything in site, as well as cooks eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhett Posted July 16, 2010 Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 CLIFFS: Lightsabers exist /end thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGRE Posted July 17, 2010 Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Do the Chinese have to obey our copy right laws...? no. but they can keep them from being sold here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixdarican Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 they have the light saber toys, thats probably what hes trying to protect from this thing. this is me reaching for a reason though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodRed Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Same thing happened when some game came out for the Wii a few years back where the character ran around with a "light saber." It had to go through a lot of hoops with Lucas films before it could be released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Although I am pondering, how does George havd a copyright to a product that doesn't exhist? Before Lucas was ever born, people had been talking about Androids. They were popularized in fiction mostly by P.K. Dick with "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" in 1968. When he came out with Star Wars, Lucas shortened it to just "droid" and copyrighted the term. So every time Motorola advertises a new Driod, they pay a metric fuckton to Lucasfilms LTD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidey2721 Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Its not crazy, its smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC K9 Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 OK...I am nuts. I can't stop thinking about how bad I want this laser...and the price goes up $100 on friday. I don't have the money ($362 after all the options and shipping) which stinks. Some guy I work with offered me a deal where he would buy me the laser, but sometime between now and when he dies I have to agree to use it on any 3 people of his choosing. I don't know if I want to be indebted like that...especially considering this thing would kill someone ha ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImUrOBGYN Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 I'm gonna shoot someone in the pee-hole with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC K9 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Price went up $100 last friday. I am sad I wasn't able to afford one before, definitely can't now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted August 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Price went up $100 last friday. I am sad I wasn't able to afford one before, definitely can't now. Use a credit card. Charge it to the game fool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate1647545505 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 Do the Chinese have to obey our copy right laws...? If so, there'd be alot less knock off TiAL's out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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