January 24, 2007

Barred from Using Star Wars™ Trademarks, Maryland Company Agrees to $250,000 Judgment for Infringements

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- In a court-approved settlement, William Osburn and his Maryland-based company, High-Tech Magic, have agreed to a $250,000 judgment in Lucasfilm Ltd.'s favor for illegally using Star Wars trademarks to manufacture and sell lightsaber™ replicas.

U.S. District Judge Ronald M. Whyte of the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, permanently barred Osburn and High-Tech Magic from using the trademarks and required that the company not sell "any facsimile of a lighted or glowing sword ... and/or parts designed to enable others to build" the infringing lightsabers.

"Lucasfilm is very serious about protecting its intellectual property rights," said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. "We will diligently pursue companies like High-Tech Magic that try to make a profit by infringing our rights."

Roffman said Lucasfilm will continue to monitor the activities of High-Tech Magic, and that it is investigating other prop-replica companies that are infringing on Lucasfilm's trademarks and copyrights. The company will file additional legal actions against infringers as necessary.

As in previous cases, Roffman emphasized that fans who are simply showcasing their enthusiasm for Star Wars are not at risk. "Our goal is to go after and shut down businesses that are trying to make a profit off of creations and properties that do not belong to them," he said.