'Star Wars' designer contests Lucas empire

LONDON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A British designer says he'll fight an attempt by the U.S. producers of "Star Wars" to stop him from selling replica costumes from the classic film.

Andrew Ainsworth helped design the costumes worn by rebel pilots and imperial storm troopers, and insists he never signed away the rights to those designs to producer George Lucas.

Lucas and his Lucasfilm company recently won a $20 million judgment in California and is attempting to enforce it in Britain, the BBC said Monday.

But Ainsworth said he is within his rights to continue making helmets and complete storm trooper uniforms using the same molds used to outfit the "Star Wars" extras.