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LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

slashfilm.com

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Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#11

Post by wavephorm »

rdl wrote: post #3

I never cease to be amazed at how honest and forthright everyone in the (top tier) of the startup industry is, vs. the entertainment, government contracting, small business, etc. space. To say nothing of finance or politics. That silicon valley and tech is taking over the world might be a result of this, but in any case, it's better for humanity.

Like it or not, this is just the way capitalism works. It pays very handsomly to be corrupt, or to be a cartel member in a self-regulated industry. And it will not get better until we move to a new economic paradigm.

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#12

Post by autarch »

rdl wrote: post #3

I never cease to be amazed at how honest and forthright everyone in the (top tier) of the startup industry is, vs. the entertainment, government contracting, small business, etc. space. To say nothing of finance or politics. That silicon valley and tech is taking over the world might be a result of this, but in any case, it's better for humanity.

I think there may be less intentionally deceptive, but they make up for it in cluelessness and incompetence.

Founders may not give their employees good deals because they just make stuff up and don't do any analysis.

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#14

Post by veyron »

patio11 wrote: post #10
veyron wrote: post #9

I remember reading something similar in the music industry, written by courtney love. Anyone have a link?

Google [Courney Love RIAA], first result: http://www.salon.com/technology/feature/2000/06/14/love/prin...

I should have guessed that it would be RIAA that would point me to the article :P

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#15

Post by bwillard »

Maven911 wrote: post #2

Its an interesting perspective that seems to suggest the opposite view from the 'other' article on the front page about contracts: Just Sue Me

I disagree that it is the opposite. In fact I think it is more like LucasFilm is saying Just Sue Me. From the article Seth (I am assuming he is a reliable source as I know nothing about the film industry) seems to think that if LucasFilms was sued that they would lose (or settle), but luckily people, specifically Darth, are either to lazy or the amount they would win wouldn't cover the legal expenses of suing. So in effect LucasFilms is pretending like the risk of litigation isn't there and it is working out OK for them so far. Just like the experiences of PUD.

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#16

Post by Bud »

Geez, Lucas. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?

I mean, really. I can see being a greedy fuck for a couple decades, while you're still unsure if you are, in fact, going to become and remain wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice. But once you have the fuck-you money put away for you, your entire family and everyone you've ever met who was halfway interesting, can't you toss Lord Vader some coin for his trouble?

Shameful.

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#17

Post by bfe »

One of my intellectual property law professors, with fifty years experience in just about every kind of I.P. licensing scenario possible, all over the world, recommended it's almost always best in an I.P. license to ask for a flat fee first, and a small percentage of gross revenue with a short, hard reckoning date second. The more bargaining power you have, the higher you should bump up your position for upfront flat fee first and percentage of gross revenue second. Agreeing to a percentage of "net profits" is almost always a commitment to sue the other party down the road or get nothing. Whatever I've learned since then has left his recommendation intact.

Re: LucasFilm Tells Darth Vader that Return of the Jedi Hasn’t Made a Profit

#18

Post by ootachi »

rdl wrote: post #8
GeneTraylor wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree, look at the options given to Skype employees [1], being in the valley doesn't magically mean that your safe from the dark side of the force. [1] http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/26/skypes-worthless-employee-s...

Skype was Private Equity, not normal VC/founder/team terms. very rarely do founders fuck their employees over, relative to how employees are treated in most places. Founders vs. VCs or Founders vs. PE is more common, but founders at a late-stage company should be a lot more educated and resourced. It's mainly at the idea to startup to series A stage where people are fairly universally honorable, at least among the to…

The comments on the "how much did you earn as an early employee from an exit?" thread seem to indicate otherwise. Very few people ever saw their stock options amount to anything.
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