In a subpoena request originally posted by Courthouse News Service, details have emerged that Lucasfilm is actively searching for a leaker who has posted copyrighted photos from the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
On Oct. 29th, 2014, a user by the name of “Darth_Simi” allegedly posted an unauthorized photo from the set of Star Wars onto the image-hosting site ImageShack. In the subpoena request, the photo they claimed was infringed was titled Star Wars Episode VII Costume Design and Photograph and that the owner of the exclusive rights belonged to Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC. The image has since been deleted, though it has been described as “a masked figure clad in black, and holding a red crossguard-style lightsaber”, similar to the character in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer released back in December 2014.
The attorneys representing Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, Latham & Watkins LLP, write that the subpoena falls under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (“DCMA”) and that they have the right to pursue the copyright infringer(s), who they believe to have been a background extra or someone close to the production of the film. Certainly, “Darth_Simi” is no stranger to Star Wars VII, as the user has posted numerous set leaks and concept art, as well as officially-released photos from the filmmakers.
Back in June 2014, Episode VII director J.J. Abrams posted this tongue-in-cheek response to the leaked photos from set, which officially revealed the inclusion of the Millennium Falcon in the upcoming film:
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 4, 2014
