Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Yes, There's A Lightsaber School and Lucasfilm Is Suing It

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: November 2, 2016

Key Contacts

Back

Why is Lucasfilm Suing this Lightsaber School?

In the midst of losing themselves in the thrill of fantastical combat, a company of Star Wars enthusiasts are facing a lawsuit over their lightsaber school from the very company that started the billion-dollar franchise.

Disney’s Lucasfilm recently filed a suit in the United States District Court’s Northern District of California, San Francisco Division, against Michael Brown, whose lightsaber school offers lightsaber instruction classes. The plaintiffs made the suit on grounds of unfair competition, trademark infringement, dilution and cybersquatting, among other allegations.

Pretending to use the Force 

One of Brown’s companies, New York Jedi, Lightsaber Academy, offers classes conducted by “experienced dancers, martial artists, and [costume players] that know a thing or two about saber choreography.” The lightsaber school also provides private instruction and kids classes. You can see a video of one of the classes here.

Lucasfilm did not take issue with Brown’s training methods. Instead, the suit alleged the defendants are committing copyright infringement by marketing their lightsaber school and classes, on the grounds that Lucasfilm’s trademarked the words “Jedi” and “Lightsaber”. From the plaintiff’s perspective, New York Jedi has no right to use those terms in its marketing jargon. 

Among the allegations, Lucasfilm noted Brown uses a logo quite similar to one of its own. The Jedi Order, a fictional organization of Jedi within the Star Wars franchise, has a distinct emblem which Brown emulated. While Brown’s rendition has noticeable differences, the plaintiffs maintained the logo is “nearly identical, and confusingly similar, to Lucasfilm’s trademark Jedi Order logo.”

The Star Wars giant also named Thrills and Skills Inc and Lightsaber Academy, Inc, both of which are designations Brown, as defendants in the case. While Lightsaber Academy is a corporation filed in Delaware, Lucasfilm said the legal status of Thrills and Skills is unknown. 

Not the first Lucasfilm suit 

The company which produces Star Wars has filed numerous lawsuits on grounds of copyright and trademark infringement in the past. The Telegraph noted a couple of instances where LucasFilm filed legal action:

  • In 2009, Verizon Wireless had to pay Lucasfilm an undisclosed settlement to continue using the name “DROID” when marketing a line of smartphones. 
  • Mind Technologies was originally named “Jedi Mind,” but Lucasfilm delivered a cease-and-desist letter, asking the company to stop using the word “Jedi” in its branding. 

Bearing in mind Star Wars’ popularity, it’s likely future lawsuits will occur, given that some companies may not even be aware they’re infringing on Lucasfilm’s right to use its trademarks.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests post image

Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests

If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests"
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions post image

The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions

Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions"
Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public post image

Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public

Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public"
Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions post image

Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions

Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions"
Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide post image

Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide

For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Crypto Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide"
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination post image

Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]

Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh

Link to post with title - "Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!