I have to second The Gnome on this one. It's all fine for people to say that he's bashing on fans, but what is never said is when various fans do approach Lucasfilm through the correct channels, very rarely are they turned aside when they want to use copy-writed material. Of course, this totally depends on what they intend to do with them.
Case in point: The 501st Stormtrooper Legion (
www.501st.com). The 501st has been working with Lucasfilm for many years and they have not once made an issue with us using trademarked/copy-writed stuff. In fact, Lucasfilm, though they maintain the trademarks, have even come to the 501st leadership to ask their input. In return, Lucasfilm has included the 501st in lots of promo events (escort duty for various SW personalities, SW Weekends at Disneyworld, etc). The 501st has permission to produce our own regalia with full licence to use copy-writed stuff. (My personal treasure is my 501st Swiss Army knife. All black, with the Imperial cog. Only 40 in existance).
Speaking of which, if you have the opportunity, watch the Rose Parade on January 1st, '07. As a jesture of thanks to all the 501st has done in the name of Lucasfilm, THEY are paying for 200 501st members (all just ordinary fans) from around the world to be in the Rose Parade. It will be the largest marching display in the history of the Rose Parade. The message we received from the 501st leadership is that this request came directly from George Lucas. Does that sound like he's against anything that fans are doing? No. Sounds to me that he's more than willing to support fans. They just have to do things through the correct proceedures.