CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[Karzak]

Per Robert Meyer Burnett's Twitter feed (which has been a laugh riot of insanity today), here's the "official" response to todays news. (Note: the link includes the name "Alex Peters" )

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/30/alex-peters-statement-on-the-star-trek-axanar-lawsuit/

Peters’ statement in full:

This morning, I was greeted with news that our production company, Axanar Productions and I, personally, am being sued by CBS Studios, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation for copyright infringement of Star Trek.

First of all, I was disappointed to learn about this through an article in an industry trade. For several years, I’ve worked with a number of people at CBS on Star Trek-related projects, and I would have hoped those personal relationships would have warranted a phone call in advance of the filing of a legal complaint. Nevertheless, I know I speak for everyone at Axanar Productions when I say it is our hope that this can be worked out in a fair and amicable manner.

Axanar is a fan film. Fan films – whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise – are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We’re not doing anything new here.

Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That’s all we’re trying to do here.

Since the original Star Trek TV series, when the letter writing campaign by fans got NBC to greenlight a third season of Star Trek, fan support has been critical to the success of the franchise. It is the Star Trek fans themselves who are most affected here, for by suing Axanar Productions to stop making our movie and collect so-called damages, CBS and Paramount are suing the very people who have enthusiastically maintained the universe created by Gene Roddenberry so many years ago.

The fact that many of the fans involved with Axanar Productions are also industry professionals speaks volumes to the influence of Star Trek in the entertainment industry. Not surprisingly, these fans want to give something back. We’re very proud that the work we’ve done to date looks so good. That is also a reflection of the devotion of Star Trek’s fans.

Like everything related to Axanar Productions, we take this matter very seriously and remain open to discussing solutions with all parties that can be mutually beneficial.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

For now I'm not saying anything in relation to other productions, as anything posted to that Facebook page will likely be used as example of why Axanar is getting sued in the first place. If I can avoid actively naming other fan productions, maybe CBS will leave them alone.

Quiet, I can hope.

I don't think anyone mentioning Continues, NV or any of the other fan film productions at this point matters; If CBS sues Axanar successfully I think the precedent will be set, the flood gates will be nudged open and the future for these fan films will be in doubt especially with their new series a little more than a year away.

I had been considering giving money to some of these productions (and I am not going to lie it included Axanar) but as soon as CBS announced Star Trek '2017' I thought to myself that this is when they will likely start clamping down on fan productions.

Like them or hate them Axanar, Continues, NV and Renegades to name just 4 garner high praise from swaths of the fan base. You have people daily discussing them and not just fans but online news sites. You have groups actively criticizing CBS & Paramount while e-high five'ing the the fan productions.

Throw in the money some of these productions are pulling in from fans and thats going to raise eye brows at the CBS legal department.

If no other production gets a letter during the course of this coming year I will be massively surprised (but relieved).

Warner Bros. is iffy with their demands as well.

Being a huge Batgirl fan, I wanted to donate to a fan Batgirl production on kickstarter....but that particular production was halted; they were given a cease and desist.

And I wasn't blindly giving the money because the actress portraying Batgirl was hot (okay, it was part of it) but the production was impressive. (And I recall wanting a little 'production' credit on my IMDB page).

So yeah, CBS isn't doing anything new here.

 

[JoeRalat]

As of this moment, they are only going after Axanar, if the case is just copyright issues, why not sue all the fan films? No word on any of the other fan films on a cease and desist. I would think all would get one.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

Interesting thing about the lawsuit document linked here: On page 5 it says: “In addition to The Original Series, there have been five further Star Trek television series totaling thousands of episodes”.

Really, “thousands of episodes”?

All in all, I can't say I'm overly surprised or even upset about Axanar getting legal trouble. Sure, I hope everyone who donated will get their money back in the end, but the production itself didn't look too interesting to me, sorry.

Good thing I didn't kick in $75.00 Canadian for this, then.

BTW, I noticed your avatar-do you support the new (official) movie, M?

Then they say they'll boycott the new film. After they've already said they don't like the new films. After they've made the statement that their fan film is superior to CBS, and is "real" Star Trek. Yeah, you can't reason with that nuttery.

Already, there's a Facebook group that intends to do just that: https://www.facebook.com/Boycott-Star-Trek-Beyond-990870554285569/?hc_location=ufi

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Per Robert Meyer Burnett's Twitter feed (which has been a laugh riot of insanity today), here's the "official" response to todays news. (Note: the link includes the name "Alex Peters" )

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/30/alex-peters-statement-on-the-star-trek-axanar-lawsuit/

Peters’ statement in full:

This morning, I was greeted with news that our production company, Axanar Productions and I, personally, am being sued by CBS Studios, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation for copyright infringement of Star Trek.

First of all, I was disappointed to learn about this through an article in an industry trade. For several years, I’ve worked with a number of people at CBS on Star Trek-related projects, and I would have hoped those personal relationships would have warranted a phone call in advance of the filing of a legal complaint. Nevertheless, I know I speak for everyone at Axanar Productions when I say it is our hope that this can be worked out in a fair and amicable manner.

Axanar is a fan film. Fan films – whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise – are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We’re not doing anything new here.

Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That’s all we’re trying to do here.

Since the original Star Trek TV series, when the letter writing campaign by fans got NBC to greenlight a third season of Star Trek, fan support has been critical to the success of the franchise. It is the Star Trek fans themselves who are most affected here, for by suing Axanar Productions to stop making our movie and collect so-called damages, CBS and Paramount are suing the very people who have enthusiastically maintained the universe created by Gene Roddenberry so many years ago.

The fact that many of the fans involved with Axanar Productions are also industry professionals speaks volumes to the influence of Star Trek in the entertainment industry. Not surprisingly, these fans want to give something back. We’re very proud that the work we’ve done to date looks so good. That is also a reflection of the devotion of Star Trek’s fans.

Like everything related to Axanar Productions, we take this matter very seriously and remain open to discussing solutions with all parties that can be mutually beneficial.

Now it's a fan film and not an independent "professional" STAR TREK production.

 

[Smoked Salmon]

All I'm going to say about Mr. Peters is that the stories I've heard are not good. The word egomaniac comes to mind. This news doesn't surprise me at all. By allegedly paying himself and his girlfriend (and maybe others) a salary from the crowd funding, building a professional production studio and by arrogantly declaring this project "true" Star Trek, I wouldn't be surprised if CBS/Paramount said enough is enough and have done this to set a precedent for exactly what defines a fan film....and that's not professional looking rival projects where people pay themselves salaries from the public's money while earning the money for those salaries through the exploitation of someone else's intellectual property.

Oh, and I suspect Peters is also bullshitting about learning of the proceedings through a trade paper. He would have been personally served and there almost certainly would have been cease and desist correspondence prior to the issue of proceedings.

 

[lurok]

So it seems the unspoken $64k dollar question is:

Can (or should?) CBS/Paramount shut down projects which seem more interested in fundraising rather than producing on Trek brand-name ? (here's why I draw a redline between STC/Renegades and Axanar)

 

[Karzak]

Per Robert Meyer Burnett's Twitter feed (which has been a laugh riot of insanity today), here's the "official" response to todays news. (Note: the link includes the name "Alex Peters" )

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/30/alex-peters-statement-on-the-star-trek-axanar-lawsuit/

Peters’ statement in full:

This morning, I was greeted with news that our production company, Axanar Productions and I, personally, am being sued by CBS Studios, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation for copyright infringement of Star Trek.

First of all, I was disappointed to learn about this through an article in an industry trade. For several years, I’ve worked with a number of people at CBS on Star Trek-related projects, and I would have hoped those personal relationships would have warranted a phone call in advance of the filing of a legal complaint. Nevertheless, I know I speak for everyone at Axanar Productions when I say it is our hope that this can be worked out in a fair and amicable manner.

Axanar is a fan film. Fan films – whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise – are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We’re not doing anything new here.

Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That’s all we’re trying to do here.

Since the original Star Trek TV series, when the letter writing campaign by fans got NBC to greenlight a third season of Star Trek, fan support has been critical to the success of the franchise. It is the Star Trek fans themselves who are most affected here, for by suing Axanar Productions to stop making our movie and collect so-called damages, CBS and Paramount are suing the very people who have enthusiastically maintained the universe created by Gene Roddenberry so many years ago.

The fact that many of the fans involved with Axanar Productions are also industry professionals speaks volumes to the influence of Star Trek in the entertainment industry. Not surprisingly, these fans want to give something back. We’re very proud that the work we’ve done to date looks so good. That is also a reflection of the devotion of Star Trek’s fans.

Like everything related to Axanar Productions, we take this matter very seriously and remain open to discussing solutions with all parties that can be mutually beneficial.

Now it's a fan film and not an independent STAR TREK production.

Today, anyway.

 

[Smoked Salmon]

As of this moment, they are only going after Axanar, if the case is just copyright issues, why not sue all the fan films? No word on any of the other fan films on a cease and desist. I would think all would get one.

There's clearly more to this than meets the eye. Tony Todd's Twitter feed makes for interesting reading.

 

[Amaris]

I do believe it comes down to what fan productions have become. Remember when they were a couple of fans in a basement using their mom's VHS camcorder? Well, now they look like this:

-----

-----


Look how professional that is. Not only that, but with the new series and new film, the production above causes brand confusion. While other fan films use markedly different sets to make their productions, Axanar seems to have lifted some of their designs from the new films. To muddle an older jingle, "Is it CBS or is it Axanar?"


If I were CBS and I were producing a new Star Trek series, you're damned right I'd be saying something, especially if the production pulled in $1.5 million using your IP, went and built their own professional film studio from that income, income that they made from your property. That makes them a competitor, using your property to build their company in order to compete against you with your own property. That they made it this far utterly surprises me. So I find it funny that Alec Peters has the gall to say CBS is in the wrong here.

 

[SeerSGB]

Maybe this is the much needed, and much delayed, bucket of cold water the fandom needs? Sort of remind us where our place is at in the pecking order?

 

[Indysolo]

Per Robert Meyer Burnett's Twitter feed (which has been a laugh riot of insanity today), here's the "official" response to todays news. (Note: the link includes the name "Alex Peters" )

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/30/alex-peters-statement-on-the-star-trek-axanar-lawsuit/

Peters’ statement in full:

Axanar is a fan film. Fan films – whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise – are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We’re not doing anything new here.

Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That’s all we’re trying to do here.

But the Axanar webpage says, "Axanar is a ground breaking independent film that proves the idea that a studio doesn’t need to spend millions of dollars to produce a feature quality production. Axanar will be the first non-CBS/Paramount produced Star Trek to look and feel like a true Star Trek movie."

It also states, "But making a fan film was not of interest to Alec. A veteran entrepreneur and a 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner, Alec decided that if he was going to make Axanar, it needed to look like a real film."

Peters himself has stated it's not a fan film, "...we originally expected it to be a ‘fan film’ and now I don’t think many people consider it just a fan film. So for the full-length feature we want to make sure we knock it out of the park for the high bar that we have established for independent Star Trek".

Neil

 

[Karzak]

And that language and intention is precisely why Peters is being sued now.

 

[Smoked Salmon]

"The high bar that "WE" have set".

The arrogance.

 

[Karzak]

"The high bar that "WE" have set".

The arrogance.

Exactly so.

 

[jespah]

I have little doubt that, in the law firm representing him, they are drawing straws as to who gets to deal with this trainwreck. Short straw does it.

He did not need to give a statement.

Every time he does so, it seems he makes things worse. If I were his attorney (I'm so glad I'm not practicing anymore), I'd be screaming at him to shut his cake hole.

PS If he's representing himself, then .... I'll just allow you all to draw your own conclusions.

PPS I also have homemade bread to offer in addition to the popcorn. It's rosemary-pepper bread.

 

[lurok]

.... I'd be screaming at him to shut his cakehole

Best expression ever.

Shut yer cakehole!

 

[dub]

They mentioned in one of the quotes that filming begins in February. They hadn't even started filming yet?!?!?

 

[nx1701g]

Anyone know this chap:

https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/3ysgo9/cbsparamount_files_lawsuit_against_axanar/cygccij

I don't know the person but I'm familiar with the project. A few months ago there was an article in CNET about an artist who was building the entire Enterprise-D online deck by deck in 3D based off of the blueprints that were released in the 90s. It sounded interesting but one day the site was gone and I couldn't find any mention of the project again.

I, personally, am afraid it may be true. I hope that it isn't.

 

[Tom]

There is a lot more that meets the eye with this case. Many of the Axanar Facebook posters have no clue what going on beyond what is on the surface. Many of us here who are involved with fan films know of a bunch of stuff but from this past year, some was mentioned, and some was not out of professional courtesy. There were a few things that got me upset with Alec this past year, we even had a heated email battle at one point. The writing was on the wall, you just needed to stop for a moment and read it. Even though this is Alec's production, I really feel bad for the fans, the donors and the crew who were really excited about making this film, to them, I wish you the best. In the long run, mis-management and a little bit of greed brought down Axanar and it's shadow is cast on other productions.

This was already an uncertain time for fan films with the announcement of the new CBS series and now we have this to add to that uncertainty. As long as we respect CBS and don't bite the hand that feeds us, we should be ok.

As for other productions, New Voyages has, for over a decade, filled in the 10 year void we have lived with out Star Trek on TV. CBS should commend them for holding the torch that helped keep Star Trek alive. STC, being a more recent entry has also been a class act and kept the dream alive.