I get the SBS/Paramount Corporate mentality on this:
1) It a fact CBS allowed Star Trek fan films top exists for years without saying a word.
2) They ARE ALWAYS concerned about how negative fan reaction (no matter how small) could affect their bottom line (both with ST:Beyond's box office and the new Stat Trek series on CBS All Access.
3) They are 100% in the right both legally and morally with Alec Peters and Axanar - BUT they probably realize that if they won and went 'scorched Earth' - overall - the negative fan reaction might hamper merchandizing and other aspects over the long run; and COULD be bad for Star Trek franchise business long term.
2) They now figure they've let the fans films run too loose for too long - so they're going to (like Lucas film did) set up strict guidelines that must be followed and gain some control over the situation of Star Trek fan films.
The win for both CBS/Paramount as the Suits see it:
- These Star Trek fan film groups stop badmouthing CBS/Paramount Star Trek efforts (either outright or subtlety.)
- It makes then 'look good' in the overall public mainstream; and maybe wins them some bigger Box Office/All Access Subs in the long run.
- It makes it so they don't have to worry about any trademark abandonment issues - and gives them a clear path to a summary judgement in any Copyright or other Civil suit they bring if a Fan Film group REALLY strays over the new fan film guidelines.
For myself though - after experiencing the attitude of Fan Film producer Alec Peters - I'm saddened that in the end, he will be rewarded for his theft; and depending on whatever settlement in reached - in the years to come , he'll tout himself as the 'savior' of Star Trek fan films; and probably twist the narrative to that being his ultimate goal all along.
As for people saying "Hey why would two major Hollywood studios do this?" Remember:
1) In the end, ALL they care about is the bottom line - and for whatever reason, the suits see this path their following now as BETTER for the Star Trek franchise bottom line (and profitability) in the long run.
2) They're dealt with BIGGER egos/outright assholes then Alec Peters (and often paid/lost more money to said assholes in agreements/legal actions); and in this situation, it's not even their money per se - it's Star Trek fan's money; and they C/P may after this try to market themselves directly - what Peter's and Co. were marketing to the donor store.
And much as I hate to say it - in the end, it IS Star trek fans (like myself who pledged $75) who ULTIMATELY enabled Mr. Peters to do what he did. My mistake was NOT RESEARCHING the man's integrity (IMO he has NONE) before Pledging to his project <--- And again that's on me.
That said, I hope one of the conditions of the ultimate settlement is: Axanar has to fulfill EVERY perk. Why? Because hell, if C/P is going to legitimize the Axanar film, I should at the very least get what I fucking pain for (or a full refund - at this point I'd be okay with either as I dislike the fact I had a hand in enabling Mr. Peters to do what he did and ultimately get rewarded for it.)
[Also, I hope whatever the guidelines are as a result Mr. Tommy Kraft does decide/find a way to do a sequel to his 'Horizons' fan film.]