George Lucas Sues Peripheral Maker Jedi Mind
Lucasfilm filed a $5 million lawsuit, claiming consumer confusion.
Earlier this year, we reported about a PC peripheral called the Jedi Mouse. The device combines a special wireless, brain-reading headset designed by Emotiv--detecting brainwaves on both a conscious and non-conscious level--with Jedi Mind Inc's thought-controlled software, allowing the user to control certain aspects of the computer by thought alone.
At the time of the report, we questioned Jedi Mind's legal use of the name and the technology. Apparently George Lucas wasn't happy.
Tuesday brought reports that the infamous Star Wars creator and Lucasfilm has filed a $5 million trademark lawsuit against Jedi Mind for marketing the mind-reading device. Lucasfilm is seeking "injunctive relief and recovery of damages," claiming that the alleged trademark infringement will damage its reputation and business by causing confusion in the marketplace.
The lawsuit follows a cease-and-desist letter that was sent to Jedi Mind Inc. back in May 2009. Apparently Jedi Mind Inc. CEO Brent Fouch agreed to phase out the Jedi-related marks, however the company failed to do so. Lucasfilm then sent Jedi Mind Inc. another cease-and-desist letter in September 2009, making its second attempt to settle the mater without a lawsuit. That too apparently went unheeded.
Although Lucasfilm doesn't hold a trademark on "Jedi Mind," the company claims ownership to "all characteristics associated with the Jedi knights not memorialized in a registered trademark ... (including) Jedi robes, the lightsaber weapon, the power to levitate objects, a telepathic oneness with other Jedi and the universe, and the ability to shoot energy beams called 'Force Lightning' from the fingertips."
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LOL!
George Lucas fell for an old Jedi Mind Trick!!!!!
... i'm getting so sick of trademarks, copyrights, and patent suits. How old are these characters and universe? 30+ years
The entire system needs a reboot IMO.
not surprised in the least. they saw this coming and if they didnt think lucas was serious well then they are pretty stupid.
doesnt lucasarts sue someone every month?
You know, the whole point of a trademark is to be able to build a brand around a recognizable name and logo, and not have someone else come in and create a similar sounding or looking brand and logo with the intent of free advertising. For example, if I created a sneaker company called Hike, and used a swoosh logo and similar type-font... that would be trademark infringement since my intent is to mislead consumers.
However, there is no way in hell ANYONE would confuse a company called Jedi Mind, with any of the actual Star Wars movies. "Shit, this is a commercial for some computer product... I thought it was episode III!" That just ain't going to happen. I hope the company tells Darth George to cram his C&D in his crack, and fights this shit in court. I can't imagine a judge would go along with this.
These guys probably called it the Jedi Mouse because they wanted the free publicity from George Lucas when they inevitably get sued. Even if they lose, they only pay around $5M but get free advertising by showing up on CNN, Fox News, BBC etc.
The only person doing damage to the Lucasfilm reputation is Lucas himself
STOP F*CKING WITH STAR WARS
And people who want copyright law abolished are plain stupid. Then again they probably never had a creative thought in their life so they don't get the point of intellectual property.
Pretty obvious infringement... they are implying Jedi like powers with their product.
Also, since Jedi is not a real word, and is part of the Star Wars universe, how the hell does anyone think they can get away with that?
You know, the whole point of a trademark is to be able to build a brand around a recognizable name and logo, and not have someone else come in and create a similar sounding or looking brand and logo with the intent of free advertising. For example, if I created a sneaker company called Hike, and used a swoosh logo and similar type-font... that would be trademark infringement since my intent is to mislead consumers.However, there is no way in hell ANYONE would confuse a company called Jedi Mind, with any of the actual Star Wars movies. "Shit, this is a commercial for some computer product... I thought it was episode III!" That just ain't going to happen. I hope the company tells Darth George to cram his C&D in his crack, and fights this shit in court. I can't imagine a judge would go along with this.
The LucasArts portfolio extends far beyond the movies. It also includes many toys, video games, books, posters, costumes, etc. Practically anything you make that uses the word "Jedi" could potentially be infringing on some current or future toy/game/etc. Maybe LucasArts wants to provide people a mind reading device called "Jedi Mind...". Don't they have the right? Don't they own the name?
The fact of the matter is, Lucas DOESN'T have a trademark on the name Jedi Mind. They can't just "claim ownership" all on their own. It's legal bullshit, and I can only imagine that the lawyers that took the case are getting their money up front.
Jedi Mind, Inc. will fight this in court, and they will win, and Lucas will look like an ass like always.
I don't agree with the Harry Potter condom lawsuit, but if you use an actual name like "jedi" or "Harry Potter," then you're asking to be sued.
Pretty obvious infringement... they are implying Jedi like powers with their product. Also, since Jedi is not a real word, and is part of the Star Wars universe, how the hell does anyone think they can get away with that?
Um... the article clearly states
[citation]Lucasfilm doesn't hold a trademark on "Jedi Mind"[/citation]
i actually don't see anything wrong with this suit, Lucas Arts sent the company two letters telling them they were infringing on copyrights yet the company continued. the lawsuits i have a problem with are the ones where a company knows that someone is using something they have a patent for but doesn't persue that patent until the other company has sold enough product that they'd have to pay in millions in royalties. I think that if someone is to file a patent suit then they have to provide the court with proof that they knew nothing of the offending company using their IP, and provide records of filing a cease and desist order prior to filing a lawsuit.
yeah he made the name jedi FFS so i believe he has every right to stop them marketing that name.
all you anti copyright idiots have just jumped on this one without even thinking about it. I agree that sometimes people get OTT over IP and stuff like that but this one has grounds
JEDI is also an acronym. /wiki
Lucasarts does have a right to pursue this in court for a cease and desist order.. the only reason LA is still around is from all the trademark kickbacks. Pretty shady way to conduct a business but legit.
Sometimes I wish I was God just so I could smack some sense into anyone in the world at will.
"Lucas, this is God - Stop being such a douche and let bygones be bygones. Oh, and stop messing with StarWars. Nobody wants to see a puppet over here and a digital creature over there, they just don't look good on screen together. Give us the originals back."
"Jobs, this is God - Why are you so opposed to jailbreaking. You are trying to take away what the public wants. And the first rule of retail is the customer is first. As quoted (loosely) from starwars, the more you tighten your grasp, the more systems will slip through your fingers".
" This is God, I have spoken, everyone shut up for me's sake and tend to your own flock!"
George Lucas is sueing my wife for wearing a fur coat he said to closely resembled chewbacca. We received a cease and desist order in the mail last week. He is sueing her for 20 million dollars. The coat costed roughly 350.00 dollars.
George Lucas is a Douche.
I have the power to levitate objects. Does that mean I'm infringing on a Lucasfilm patent?
These guys probably called it the Jedi Mouse because they wanted the free publicity from George Lucas when they inevitably get sued. Even if they lose, they only pay around $5M but get free advertising by showing up on CNN, Fox News, BBC etc.
The word 'Jedi' would exist if it weren't for Lucas. I think he is entitled to protect it.
Lucas stole the concept from samurai. I recall star wars being based of a very old Japanese graphic novel.
or was it a film..... senior moment... sorry guys.
Um... the article clearly states[citation]Lucasfilm doesn't hold a trademark on "Jedi Mind"
[/citation]
Not trying to be a weenie... but his concern is with the single word JEDI. You can call your company whatever you want... but if you use a word I made up and trademarked in that name, I am going to fight you for it.
infamous star wars creator? since when? george lucas is famous.
What next? Apple sues every maker of apple sauce for the use of the fruit as a logo and the word apple? People are suing every thing that has two nickles to rub together much less all that they are worth. What next Blizzard sues people for making addons?
http://www.truegreed.com/includes/ [...] _trust.jpg
seems a little petty considering who the lawsuit is coming from...
name change = problem solved.
really?
Lucas stole the concept from samurai. I recall star wars being based of a very old Japanese graphic novel.
You're thinking of cultural design, not the story itself. Samurai are considered the go-to for basing both honor and spiritual based warrior culture designs. For example, the Klingon's code of honor was based on Bushido but they did not carry the heavy spiritual portion of samurai culture into that design. The Jedi design borrowed more heavily from the spiritual aspect of the samurai and less heavily from the warrior aspect compared to the Klingon design.
As for the story, I've heard comments before that it was based on biblical stories but I don't know how accurate that actually is because that was more a hearsay thing.
Han shot first.
The word 'Jedi' would exist if it weren't for Lucas. I think he is entitled to protect it.
And you know this how? Given enough time the word would have been created eventually. I wonder how the creator of the word "The" feels about all these people using their word in product names
These are NOT the patents you're looking for...
There's no way they can claim ownership for the idea of "the power to levitate objects" and "the power to shoot lightning from your fingers"..