Rebranding a Fan Film: Starfleet

[Matthew Raymond]

What name could someone use in place of "Starfleet" in a rebranded fan film?

This may have a log to do with what you name your "Federation" equivalent. For instance, if you pick a name for your government with "Alliance" in the title, your fleet may be named the "Alliance Civil Defense Compact". Or you could pick something completely different or opaque, like "Treaty Protection Division".

Any suggestions? (Hopefully not "[Spacey Adjective] Navy"...)

 

[Mysterion]

Solar Patrol
Starforce

 

[Venardhi]

The Starmada.

 

[trynda1701]

This renaming problem is quite interesting. As in your UFP thread, talking about renaming both the Federation and Starfleet presents problems. Yet in the Star Wars universe, both Starfleet and the Galactic Empire are used.

Yes, in the context of those movies, its the Imperial Starfleet that is mentioned, but I'm wondering how things were cleared to use the term the Galactic Empire? Wasn't that used in amongst other things, Isaac Asimovs' "Robot" and "Foundation" stories? I wonder what the legal position on such things are?

 

[uniderth]

I wonder what the legal position on such things are?

Because you can get away with if you're not famous yet, and by the time you're famous nobody cares.

 

[Matthew Raymond]

I wonder what the legal position on such things are?

Because you can get away with if you're not famous yet, and by the time you're famous nobody cares.

Keep in mind that companies MUST defend your trademarks or you risk loosing them, and DMCA takedowns are not difficult for the likes of CBS or Paramount. You don't need to be on the Hollywood A-List. You just need to get their attention.

Anyway, hear are some possible names:

• Interstellar Exploration and Defense Initiative (or simply "the Initiative")
• Sidereal Vanguard
• Forefront
• Sky Police
• Space Marines (Games Workshop may sue, but that's bull#$%^!)

 

[trynda1701]

• Interstellar Exploration and Defense Initiative (or simply "the Initiative")

I like the Initiative suggestion. Has a nice ring to it. Just don't go for I.S.S for their starships...

EDIT: In fact, that could then give you the Interstellar Exploration and Defense Alliance for your Federation replacement name. Then you could have the I.E.D.S <insert Starship name here> (NOT A.S.S <name> before anyone else says it!)

 

[uniderth]

I like the Initiative suggestion. Has a nice ring to it. Just don't go for I.S.S for their starships...

EDIT: In fact, that could then give you the Interstellar Exploration and Defense Alliance for your Federation replacement name. Then you could have the I.E.D.S <insert Starship name here> (NOT A.S.S <name> before anyone else says it!)

How about Interstellar Defense and Exploration Alliance (IDEA)?

 

[Tom]

You can use Starfleet, there is no copyright protection on that term.

 

[Matthew Raymond]

One could use the organization acronym for the ship prefix (for example: IEDI Lollipop). Not sure I like that, in the specific case of "Interstellar Exploration and Defense Initiative". Too many vowels.

Could just remove the first word: "Exploration and Defense Initiative". Something like "E.D.I. Lollipop" doesn't seem to bad.

In fact, that could then give you the Interstellar Exploration and Defense Alliance for your Federation replacement name.

How about Interstellar Defense and Exploration Alliance (IDEA)?

It's the Interstellar DEA! Hide your Space Weed!

Anyway, you run into the same problem: How do you separately refer to the civil government and the military?

I like the Initiative suggestion. Has a nice ring to it. Just don't go for I.S.S for their starships...

I don't know, ISS sounds pretty powerful to me, like I could conquer the universe with it!

Then you could have the I.E.D.S <insert Starship name here> (NOT A.S.S <name> before anyone else says it!)

Yeah, I realized that several days ago, but I was hoping no one would notice until I figured out a better ship prefix.

 

[Matthew Raymond]

You can use Starfleet, there is no copyright protection on that term.

It think you mean trademark. You might be right in that regard, as I think they have a trademark on "Starfleet Academy" but not "Starfleet" itself.

The problem is that naming something "Starfleet" makes it much harder to argue that your film is not a derivative work, especially if combined with other Trek details, such as the Starfleet emblem and the red, teal and mustard colored uniforms. (I could tell you about my cool idea for uniforms, but then I'd have to kill you. )

 

[uniderth]

It's the Interstellar DEA! Hide your Space Weed!

Anyway, you run into the same problem: How do you separately refer to the civil government and the military?

Military:
Interstellar Defense and Exploration Army (IDEA)

Government:
Betelgeuse Republican Allied Interstellar Necrocracy(BRAIN)

Secret Government Agency:
Terran Hate Organization for Underhanded Grand High Treason (THOUGHT)

Did you commit a THOUGHT crime while fighting the IDEA sent here by the BRAIN?

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Service

KISS

 

[Sgt_G]

Actually, I believe CBS did trademark "Starfleet". I know for a fact that Amarillo Design Bureau was "ordered" to use two words "Star Fleet" and never one word "Starfleet" anywhere in their publications, save for the very few times they speak of CBS/Paramount's intellectual property. I'm pretty sure ADB trademarked the three words "Star Fleet Battles" but I don't think (but could be wrong) that they hold protection over the two words "Star Fleet".

 

[uniderth]

How about "Star Friggin' See CBS, No Trademark Infringement Fleet"? (SFSTNCIF)

But in seriousness I could see Starfleet being trademarked, while Star Fleet is not. Star Fleet is a pretty generic descriptor.

 

[David.Blue]

There's also Skyguard.

 

[F. King Daniel]

"The military"

 

[trynda1701]

Even just "The Fleet" or "Fleet Command" is generic enough. Leaves you just having to rename the Federation.

 

[Tenacity]

Just refer to it as "The Guard," without ever spelling out it's full name.

 

[DarKush]

You can use Starfleet, there is no copyright protection on that term.

I was wondering about that. Because I think even Star Wars references a Starfleet at least once. Though its probably best just to name your navy something else to keep the lawyers off your scent.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Navy/Legends