While Disney is happy to reveal its huge team of world-class lawyers, let’s not forget that Lucasfilm had a reputation for being very protective of its IP long before it was acquired by Disney. For sampling Lucasfilm’s THX “Deep Note” sound in 2000, Dr. Did you know he sued Dre? This is true!
Also, throughout the ’80s and ’90s, it was commonplace for Lucasfilm lawyers to scan contracts and confiscate unofficial scripts, theatrical posters, and bootleg videos (especially the infamous “Star Wars Holiday Special”). currently widely available, but it was nearly impossible to find back then) and even fan art/fanzines. Much of the fan content they cared about was of the steamy variety.
On the one hand, I can understand why George Lucas didn’t want the “Star Wars” brand to be associated with X-rated fanfiction, but on the other hand, it’s not like kids stumble upon this sort of thing. Especially at that time, if you wanted to find that illegal material, you really had to search for it.
It wasn’t until the beginning of the prequels that Lucasfilm loosened up a bit of fan relations, to the point where the company itself promoted and promoted fan films.
I don’t know why someone from Lucasfilm/Disney interviewed OG Darth Vader, which was released in theaters prior to “The Force Awakens,” as something to be sued and prevented from happening, but it’s definitely a bad look.