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CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

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Ion said:
Unless CBS got creative to gain some goodwill, and added it to their damages request. Not sure if it would fly or not.
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I was more wondering if it was even a legal possibility, because the case isn't about the donors, or even really about the crowdfunding, it's technically just about the infringement (and potentially profit-making).

The donors themselves don't really play into it, so just legally, is there any way it could be part of the case, or is it REQUIRED to come later, as part of a separate suit by the donors.
 
It has to be clear to the Axanar team that they will lose. Therefore their spending donor funds on a facility that they will not be able to use to make the only product any one wants to buy (I mean support with donations) is rather suspect.
Either they truly are so deluded that they think it will all work out in their favor, determined to maintain appearances so as to keep their loyal fans in position to give them even more money, or are just wildly spending money because they can't help themselves.
 
Jedi_Master said:
Either they truly are so deluded that they think it will all work out in their favor, determined to maintain appearances so as to keep their loyal fans in position to give them even more money, or are just wildly spending money because they can't help themselves.
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Holes, pockets, and burning come to mind.
 
Noname Given said:
No - CBS/Paramount care VERY MUCH about the money - and realize they make MOST of that money via selling merchandising and licensing rights for Star Trek items that fans buys for years. It's the fact that Axanar is doing such marketing (selling coffee, T-Shirts, ship models and other items) that probably got CBS/Paramount legal to finally drop the hammer on them. But the MONEY (and making sure CBS/Paramout protect their right to continue to be able to license said merchandise) is the main reason for the lawsuit. By making an example of Axanar who have been overly blatant, they hope to send a message to ANY group that would try to market unlicensed Star Trek merchandise in a major way to raise funds.
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I agree but the point I was making is that CBS/Paramount aren't worried about losing money by the existence of Axanar, merely that they are making money off Intellectual Property that isn't rightfully theirs.
 
And keep this in mind... Despite what some people would have you believe, fans do not have the "right" to make fan films as such. They don't own Star Trek. They can dress up and do things and document it for posterity, but the moment it becomes a public performance, it is illegal, unless you obtain permission to do so.
 
I wonder if these next few days represent Peter's "Hitler in the Bunker" moment? He's got to know that it is over.
 
Earthrise said:
So they take their pants to the same dry cleaners that I do. ;)

Provided they're able to hold onto the lease, I don't think that new carpeting will go to waste. (For those new to the thread, Propworx and Axanar Productions/Ares Studios share a business address.)
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Wait a minute?

So they're actually running a shop out of the facility where they're making Axanar? :lol:

God damn, CBS is going to have a field day with this one.
 
Albinator said:
Very good point then-- I think it's important, if I were the brand owner, that all fan films clearly identify themselves as such, with all legal disclaimers. I don't care if its a 30 second scene in a kid's garage or a 2 hour professional quality film with VFX and SAG actors.

As for run time, Pixar, Marvel, The Simpsons and others have done short films before.
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For what it's worth, for some years now and at CBS' request, we've included the following disclaimer in each of our episodes:

"Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios, Inc. The videos, the promotion thereof, and/or any other materials created by Star Trek New Voyages are not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and are non-commercial fan-made films intended for recreational use. No copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

"In no case is the use of said copyrighted material, with or without identifying symbols, intended as a claim of ownership or infringement of those copyrights/trademarks by the maker of these videos or their content providers."
 
Earthrise said:
So they take their pants to the same dry cleaners that I do. ;)

Provided they're able to hold onto the lease, I don't think that new carpeting will go to waste. (For those new to the thread, Propworx and Axanar Productions/Ares Studios share a business address.)
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Wow. Just wow. I swear I hope CBS/Paramount do take Mr. Peters to the financial cleaners at this point. (It's pretty obvious Mr. Peters somehow believes CBS/Paramount will want to settle/avoid a courtroom case, and somehow he'll be able to keep the offices/location he's setting up and somehow use it for some type of business - whether it's for Axanar, some other for profit production; or just as some sort of Propworx offices and storage space.) Again, I hope CBS/Paramount decide to show him how costly copyright violation can be if the copyright holder requests full damages. I'm sure the property landlord is smiling as he'll have a much improved space to rent for the next tenant once Mr. Peters lease has expired,
 
BillJ said:
Wait a minute?

So they're actually running a shop out of the facility where they're making Axanar? :lol:

God damn, CBS is going to have a field day with this one.
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Great plan till those damn kids at CBS started snooping around........I'll bet the Propworx phone number rings on that $7000 Axanar phone system too!
 
Just to give you an idea Google "Vinyl wall Base" & Mohawk TILE Carpet, and then tell me not to be mad. People donation for it to be spent on this!

Floor.jpg
 
If I were CBS (and this is just me of course) I would add the following stipulations:

-URLs and titles could not include "Star Trek" (this helps with relative visibility)
-All websites, videos, and articles must cite the series as fan films prominently, perhaps even in their titles (ie: "New Voyages: A Fan Film Series")
-Only distributed online via your own dedicated website or app (ig, www.newvoyages.com)

Again, that's what i'd do. It sounds like CBS/Para have been even more fair than I would be!

On balance though, I commend what you've done, your willingness to work within the established unwritten rules, and make best efforts to protect the integrity of Star Trek as a corporately owned brand. I don't know you or follow NV, but from everything i've read, I have no doubt that what you are doing comes from your genuine love of Star Trek-- a love we here all share.

Kudos to you, and here's hoping that this little industry survives!
 
JoeRalat said:
Just to give you an idea Google "Vinyl wall Base" & Mohawk TILE Carpet, and then tell me not to be mad. People donation for it to be spent on this!
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I wonder if the famous Axanar transparency will detail how much they actually spent on this carpet?
 
Even if they weren't using Ares to make more stuff later, if I were a donor i'd be pissed. They paid to get a movie made, nothing more. At least pour the money into stuff that affects the movie!

Fancy dinners, hotel rooms, convention appearances-- these people donated money should go to production only, not marketing, PR, and luxuries! Sheesh...
 
Albinator said:
If I were CBS (and this is just me of course) I would add the following stipulations:

-URLs and titles could not include "Star Trek" (this helps with relative visibility)
-All websites, videos, and articles must cite the series as fan films prominently, perhaps even in their titles (ie: "New Voyages: A Fan Film Series")
-Only distributed online via your own dedicated website or app (ig, www.newvoyages.com)

Again, that's what i'd do. It sounds like CBS/Para have been even more fair than I would be!

On balance though, I commend what you've done, your willingness to work within the established unwritten rules, and make best efforts to protect the integrity of Star Trek as a corporately owned brand. I don't know you or follow NV, but from everything i've read, I have no doubt that what you are doing comes from your genuine love of Star Trek-- a love we here all share.

Kudos to you, and here's hoping that this little industry survives!
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I'd put a ten minute time limit on them, no multi-part stories, no canon characters or ships (including designs), no union actors or crafts people. No crowdsourcing.
 
BillJ said:
I would think there would need to be a separate suit. Though there probably will be nothing left by the time CBS is done with them.
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There's going to be a lot of calls to the CA and various local state/federal consumer affairs offices in the near future I suspect.
 
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