Star Wars: Forty Years of Copyright Registrations

Home , Ben Burtt, Ewok, Ewok Celebration, John Williams, Meco, Michael Giacchino

ALISON HALL PHOT0 BY DAVID RICE DAVID BY PHOT0

Approximately two-thirds of the Star Wars Many of the songs on the soundtracks do registrations and documents were filed more not have lyrics, but “Ewok Celebration” at the than twenty years after the original movie was end of Return of the Jedi does. It was composed released, which of course has included two new and conducted by John Williams, and it was sequels and the stand-alone film Rogue One: A registered with original English lyrics by Joseph Star Wars Story. After all that time, the original Williams and Ewokese lyrics by Ben Burtt. Star Wars still inspires creativity. Each movie introduced new characters, The Star Wars franchise has become so much which led to action figures, spaceships, and a part of American culture that two of the movies different light sabers, registered with the are part of the National Film Registry at the Copyright Office as sculptural works. Artwork Library of Congress. The Registry selects twenty- featuring the characters also appeared on lunch five films each year, showcasing the range and boxes, bed sheets, and t-shirts, to name a few. diversity of American film heritage to increase Beyond artwork, the incredible popularity of awareness for its preservation. The original Star the movies led to countless Star Wars-themed Wars was among the first films added to the items registered with the Office. A few examples Registry in 1989, and The Empire Strikes Back was include coloring books, sticker books, calendars, added in 2010. trivia books, word puzzles, iron-on transfer books, John Williams composed and conducted fortune telling cards, growth charts, jewelry, the iconic soundtracks for Star Wars episodes bookmarks, posters, and card games. Several of I-VIII. His creativity inspired many recordings the movies inspired video games as well, from Star Wars original registration, and arrangements registered with the Office, the 1982’s Empire Strikes Back Atari game to 2017’s assignment card, and film score including the number one hit “Star Wars Theme/ high-tech Star Wars Battlefront II. deposit. Cantina Band” space disco recording by Meco Star Wars also inspired unofficial sequels, in 1977. Rogue One’s music was composed spinoffs, and themed sitcom episodes. Its by Michael Giacchino, but it incorporated popularity rarely fades, but in years new movies themes from Williams’ previous soundtrack come out, the Star Wars-based creativity compositions. registered with the Copyright Office seems endless. 1