Star Wars Uncut

[Shatinator]

Hasn't Lucas stated that he's cool with fan-films and actually encourages it as long as they don't try to sell/profit off it? I don't see how this is any different.

Does the state needs the victim's consent in order to prosecute a thief?
No (well, in the vast majority of legislations, anyway), theft being a crime.

Similarly, copyright infringement is a crime (it was criminalised in most countries since file-sharing/piracy/whatever).
The state doesn't need anyone's permision in order to prosecute this crime - and make no mistake, it's punishable by years in prison.

Copyright infringement only ceases to be a crime if Lucasfilm gave the fans the right to use the star wars brand.
'Gave' as in legally gave, not only giving them a pep-talk.

Conclusion - depending on the country they're citizens of, the fans who made this film are liable to spending the next few years in prison.

As a matter of case history the copyright owners can/do notify any site posting materials whether blog or stream and file a cease and desist order. Nearly universally they comply, But the copy holders must do this, these take downs are not spontaneous through the magic ether of the web. Lucas' Lawyers have not been shy of this in the past and nothing indicates this has changed. Point is they have standing, we , you do not. And I fail to see the relevance of you quoting copy right law as though you have standing. Why are you lecturing us, are you on a stump speech for SOPA.

Excuse my bluntness but your insistence is quite direct.

 

[Broccoli]

To Lucas credit, because he does get slammed a lot, he seems to have a good sense of humor and leniency towards fan projects and parodies going so far as to be involved with The Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards.

This.

Also, considering that fan productions have gone on for years without any prosecution happening (except, maybe when the production was for-profit), this is no different.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I liked the opening crawl. FIRST!

As for the copyright issues, Lucasfilm can behave differently from public corporations, who are required to assiduously defend the value of their shares by going after copyright infringements, which can threaten shareholder value. Since Lucas doesn't have a board of directors or shareholders to cater to, or risk getting fired, he has the luxury to treat infringements more cavalierly than you'd see from any other corporation.

Other than Lucasfilm, who is going to give a shit about his stuff being infringed upon? Lawyers don't lift a pinky unless someone is paying them.

 

[sidious618]

To Lucas credit, because he does get slammed a lot, he seems to have a good sense of humor and leniency towards fan projects and parodies going so far as to be involved with The Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards.

This.

Also, considering that fan productions have gone on for years without any prosecution happening (except, maybe when the production was for-profit), this is no different.

Lucas has always been very pro-fan films. I think he likes fans getting involved in cinema.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

True. people always see him as a money-grubbing out-of-touch man. I would say that's not entirely accurate. i do think he's out of touch a bit on how to tell a really good story, or how to welcome criticism, and input into his own stories. He is also very protective of his copyright and will rightly go after people deliberately infringing on his copyrights for money. I remember, prior to TPM coming out, EW weekly advertised that they would be showing the second trailer on such and such a day, and we all tuned in. Instead, we got a clip or two, but it was in the background of a Lucasfilm lawyer talking about how the company protects itself. The trailer actually aired the next day (EW is sneaky, like that) But he has always been supportive of the fans. He knows that what he has already created has hit the public zeitgeist already. There will always be people making videos about Star Wars or referencing it. I mean, Fanboys was supported by him, right?

 

[captcalhoun]

i love the cat as a jawa and the wheelie bin as the sand crawler.

some of it was quite good, but some of it was hilariously awful. like, rebel troops with paper hats!!

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I love the Jawa cat as well, but even funnier is when Luke, Owen and the Jawas are all cats!

 

[stonester1]

why would he. It was stated from the git-go that it's a non profit fan film.

As per the latest copyright infringemet laws from many countries*, sharing a copyrighted product is a crime even if it is NOT done for profit. Having a profit motive is merely an aggravating circumstance.

And this is criminal law - as in, the state can prosecute regardless of the position of Lucasfilm.
Unless Lucasfilm legally - as in, involving a LOT more than a pep-talk - gave the fans the right to use the star wars brand.

*I'm not certain whether USA is one of those countries, not being an US citizen. Considering what I know about USA's stance on the copyright issue, it most likely is.

This also fits under the category of parody and satire. Which IS protected under law, no matter what Lucas thinks.

 

[stonester1]

alderran_dude: "Glad I live on a peaceful planet."

Heh.

Just finished watching this. Again, I see why this movie is the timeless classic it is.

 

[Edit_XYZ]

Hasn't Lucas stated that he's cool with fan-films and actually encourages it as long as they don't try to sell/profit off it? I don't see how this is any different.

Does the state needs the victim's consent in order to prosecute a thief?
No (well, in the vast majority of legislations, anyway), theft being a crime.

Similarly, copyright infringement is a crime (it was criminalised in most countries since file-sharing/piracy/whatever).
The state doesn't need anyone's permision in order to prosecute this crime - and make no mistake, it's punishable by years in prison.

Copyright infringement only ceases to be a crime if Lucasfilm gave the fans the right to use the star wars brand.
'Gave' as in legally gave, not only giving them a pep-talk.

Conclusion - depending on the country they're citizens of, the fans who made this film are liable to spending the next few years in prison.

As a matter of case history the copyright owners can/do notify any site posting materials whether blog or stream and file a cease and desist order. Nearly universally they comply, But the copy holders must do this, these take downs are not spontaneous through the magic ether of the web. Lucas' Lawyers have not been shy of this in the past and nothing indicates this has changed. Point is they have standing, we , you do not. And I fail to see the relevance of you quoting copy right law as though you have standing. Why are you lecturing us, are you on a stump speech for SOPA.

Excuse my bluntness but your insistence is quite direct.

First - I was talking about fan-made whatever (based on copyrighted brands), not about posting of copyrighted materials on others' sites.

Second - 'standing'? Really? That's the best argument you could come up with?
Do read some criminal law - it's all the standing I - or anyone else - need on the matter.
You don't like what it says?
Irrelevant. In this matter, it's you who doesn't have standing, Shatinator.

Just as it's you the one lecturing. Next time you do it, I suggest actually reading the previous posts.

 

[USS Intrepid]

I don't think the producers of this have anything to worry about. This is 18 months old, Lucas historically has no objection to fanfilms (Lucasfilm have actively supported such things).

This isn't a pirated movie. I seriously don't think the FBI are going to be going after the people behind it.

 

[M'Sharak]

Did I spot you in there for a few seconds, Intrepid, somewhere around 36 minutes in?

 

[CorporalCaptain]

^ I believe so! Well, done, Nick, good show!

 

[GalaxyX]

I love at 1:54.47 how Luke's computer targetting visor is an old Sony Camcorder LMAO

 

[Disruptor]

I hearing about this months ago and thinking "what a retarded concept" and ignored it.

Yet, I watched 40+ minutes of it last nite. I wanted to see more cardboard star destroyer.

Gets really surreal at times. R2 being a glowing blue hand for one scene.

Not sure any other movie inspires stuff quite like the original Star Wars. Even The Rocky Horror Picture Show fans seem pedstrian compared to the oddities Star Wars fans create.

 

[Yoda]

I still can't figure out if this is so stupid that it's awesome, or if it's so stupid that it's just stupid

 

[Kelthaz]

This is one of those things that's incredibly cool in concept, but not all that fun to watch. I watched about 10 minutes and that was enough for me.

 

[Stevil2001]

I've been watching in 10 minute chunks. It's quite fun that way.

 

[Disruptor]

I found the customized Ninja Turtles as Rebel soldiers odd, since they made Rebel Soldier action figures. Not that I object to stormtroopers shooting teenage mutant ninja turtles.

What was up with that one part where it's just a guy watching the actual movie on his t.v.?