Hi Gary
I too have to admit that I'm no expert in the workings of our civil legal system. However my understanding is that effectively both sides fight it out with both sides trying to point out the errors/omissions etc. etc. in each others cases. So in may respects it not dissimilar to a series of posts/threads on a fan forum
They continue to do this until the court date at which point both present their evidence to the judge with various witnesses and expert witnesses brought in to verify or rubbish the various claims made. At the end of it all the judge (who I presume is an expert in copyright law - as are all the Barristers) goes away and deliberates fora few months before coming back with the judgement.
I THINK thats the way it happens but if anyone knows better then please advise.
So AFAIK the timetable so far is...
1) LFL put a claim in in Oct/Nov 06 and it was significantly different from the US claim with a lot more detail
2) SDS responded and counter sued LFL for using what it considered was "its copyright" on subseqent films and the toys etc.
3) LFL came back with more questions on how SDS felt they owed copyright
4) SDS responded to LFL's questions and I presume asked more of their own
5) this has probably happened another time for both parties
So basically it sounds like this "thread" (or series of threads) will go on for about another 6 months before it all goes in front of a judge and the actual court case begins.
My gut feeling is there wont be a "decision" as such for at least 12 months - unless someone backs down.
So my question about the recent Brian Muir revelations (that someone else sculptedd the Stormtrooper helmet and there's photographic proof), is.....
If this evidence existed, why wouldnt LFL have presented it, as its in everyones interest (especially theirs) that this case is closed asap?
Cheers
Jez