Legal Opinion
Lee M. Seiler v. Lucasfilm, Ltd., Industrial Light and Magic, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, George Lucas, Jr., and Joseph E. Johnston
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Decided January 26, 1987No. 85-1955PublishedCited by 55 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
FARRIS, Circuit Judge:
Lee Seiler, a graphic artist and creator of science fiction creatures, alleged copyright infringement by George Lucas and others who created and produced the science fiction movie “The Empire Strikes Back.” Seiler claimed that creatures known as “Imperial Walkers” which appeared in The Empire Strikes Back infringed Seiler’s copyright on his own creatures called “Garthian Striders.” The Empire Strikes Back appeared in 1980; Seiler did not obtain his copyright until 1981.
Because Seiler wished to show blown-up comparisons of his creatures and Lucas’ Imperial Walkers to the…
2Cases cited2 opinions
- United States v. Winston Bryant McConneyCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1984
- Edward Ashton v. Kenneth CoryCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1986
3Cited by55 opinions
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- James Kodadek v. Mtv Networks, Inc., a Corporation Viacom International, Inc., a Corporation Mike JudgeCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1998
- Data East USA, Inc. v. Epyx, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1988
- Corbis Corp. v. Amazon. Com, Inc.District Court, W.D. Washington · 2004
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