I don't how George Lucas thinks or his reasons for not releasing them. I believe I read somewhere that he said they'd cost millions to restore, I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't make his money back on them. I just think he doesn't want to release them because they are dated and not on par with his original vision of the films. He'll probably release them at some point, doubling his profits, because I bought his so called "Original Star Wars Trilogy" and I'd buy them again if they were truly the orginals and a non-bootleg release. This is why I don't feel the least bit bad about owning bootlegs of the OT, he's got his money from me when I was duped in to buying the Special Edtions. He's basically forcing people to bootleg the OT, when in fact, he could be making a good profit off them by simply releasing them.

You're right, we don't own them or the Star Wars universe. He can do whatever he wants with his own work. But where would he be without the original fans of the orignal trilogy. We supported him, his movies, merchandise etc. through out the years, pre-prequels and Special Edtions. He knows how beloved the OT is, people grew up with these films and there is a lot of deep rooted nostalgia with them. I do think it's also a respect issue, out of respect for your fans and their full support for you over the years give them this small peice of the pie. If he doesn't have the ethics or enough respect for his fans to release the foundation of his great empire ... so be it, I don't have to respect him or his personal decisions.

Most importanly, I want these movies perserved on the newest format of technology. George Lucas said they're on VHS if anyone wants them. Gee, thanks George, I so want to watch the grandiose Star Wars on my old VCR and grainy, full screen VHS tape. Besides which, these tapes will only last so long, mine are already worn out.