I don't think anyone had any doubt that Han shot Greedo in the original version without Greedo getting a shot off at all. I'm not saying Greedo originaly shot first and not everyone noticed, I'm saying it's entirely possible that Lucas originally wanted Greedo to shoot first, but didn't get the right shot for the original version of the movie and then just made sure it was clear that the plan was to kill Han so it would still be a clear case of self-defense, as he says is the case.
I don't think everyone realized that Han was going to be killed if he hadn't shot Greedo. Not everyone pays attention to subtitles in a movie like this.
By the way I'm 35.
As far as copyright and when things should become "public domain" I don't see why the original creator of said art shouldnt' be able to claim ownership until the end of his days, and I don't see a big problem with them being able to set it up so that their decendants can claim ownership beyond their years. It's something they created, and should have every right to make money off of that indefinately. So the rest of us have to pay to enjoy that art. I think that's fair.