...did everyone notice that the copyright date on the new trilogy release is 2004? Not even a comma separating the old date from the new...So each time Lucas messes with them, they'll get a new copyright?

Damn! That's it! I'm taking it back!

Lucas crossed the line this time!

..... put on the tinfoil hat!!!!!!

I suppose since it's been altered, a new copyright had to have been issued.

I think the forum software should block the use of the word "thingy" in thread titles.

The back of the DVD slick has 1977, 1997 and 2004. Haven't taken a close look at the end credits yet.

...the end credits still say 1997 (and maybe 1977, 1980, 1983 also) but at the very end it says 1997, and I don't see ANYTHING about 2004.

It says 2004 on the back of the individual boxes.

On the back of the case, down below in the tiny print it has Copyright 1977, 1997 and 2004. You just need to look closer.

And of course it would get a new copyright for 2004. It's a new version.

Okay, I saw it on the packaging. I was referring to in the end credits that I didn't see a 2004 copyright date.

Disney are the masters of this little known copyright extension gimmick. Slightly alter an original movie lets say umm....Fantasia, hmmm... the Lion King, wait a minute lets just include ALL the Disney titles to the mix, bang an instant 50 year extension on the copyright holders work. In fact Disney in the past has hired lobbiest to argue the point in front of Congress just so they would ratify the exhisting copyright laws to satisfy whoelse...Disney.

Put it this way Lucas has made sure and probably has plans to further "tweak" the series just so it will never end up in the public domain.