Erikstormtrooper wrote: I don't understand why the LOC can't copy the existing older prints they have of Star Wars.

First off, Copyright prohibits them.

The LoC can't do anything until copyright expires on a work. They might be able to do things in house without telling anyone, but they can't tell anyone and they can't tell anyone. And if it did get out that they were reproducing anything prior to copyright expiration, heads would roll.

The LoC has millions of miles of film to preserve. When the task is that great, priorities are set. A film (which is hugely popular, has been included in the NFR, and the copyright owner is highly respected in the preservation game) does not deserve the attention of an older lesser known or significantly older, or significantly more volatile film.

So even if the film got to the top of the list, then what method of reproduction would need to be figured out. As pointed out in the thread's article, certain types of prints require a different reproduction method. The best method would be a photochemical reproduction, but IB Technicolor prints don't reproduce well. (don't think the LoC versions are this though) So then you have to examine what equipment is available, and man power/knowledge. Eventually the LoC gets probably all technology, but if the only equipment currently available was a 2K digital scanner would you bother? Would that change, if it maybe 15 years before the 4K scanner to show up.