They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if the same goes for intellectual property theft and encroaching on other people's business, then a lot of people should be feeling very flattered this week.

Pixar should be flattered by the attention they're getting from former owner George Lucas, who opened a computer animation studio in Singapore on Thursday. Rob Coleman, the new studio's animation and development director, name-dropped Pixar while describing the studio, saying that Lucasfilms' efforts will be different because they focus on combining CGI with live-action characters. The studio is intended to allow Lucas to avoid union labor regulations in the United States bring an Asian aesthetic and sensibility to the franchise with two new television series.

While we in the Tech Labs are disappointed that the shows aren't being directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who did such a great job with the "Clone Wars" series that it actually fooled us into believing we still liked Star Wars, we remain cautiously optimistic. That series at least showed that Lucasfilm was willing to try new things with the characters and the franchise. (Such as teaching the kids about science in Boston).

Star Wars