CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar
- Thread starter Richard Baker
- Start date
- Status
"The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees."
Will Alec be able to be a participant?
Will Alec be able to be a participant?
Interesting. Hopefully this place will calm down and return to some state of normality.
As a viewer not a producer I admit we were spoilt for choice, but this case and the guidelines damaged the fan film community.
1.4 million gone for nothing except a studio he owns personally? Its the Order of Neutronium Albatross with ClusterF***s.
Interesting and valid question. This may preclude him. Amusingly, based on this, Richard Hatch CAN participate, as I don't recall that he ever had anything to do with "official" C/P Trek. In fact, I could even see him taking over the reigns entirely, while having AP in the background in a "silent partner"/"executive producer"/"put away to pasture" role.
Oh, well. Might not be what was originally planned, but at least there's still a pulse. Hopefully the other talented people that worked on Prelude will still express an interest to help make something happen, albeit with anemic results.
Last edited:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/cbs-paramount-settle-lawsuit-star-trek-fan-film-966433
If he 'keeps' the studio, that's not exactly a 'big win for Axanar', seeing as that white elephant bleeds serious coin in monthly rent and no one is leasing it. Why not? Because (a) the electricals are apparently not up to code and (b) there's a ton of competition in the area.
Now AP has to, you know, deliver -
If he 'keeps' the studio, that's not exactly a 'big win for Axanar', seeing as that white elephant bleeds serious coin in monthly rent and no one is leasing it. Why not? Because (a) the electricals are apparently not up to code and (b) there's a ton of competition in the area.
Now AP has to, you know, deliver -
- with less money (and the crowdfunding campaigns were already on diminishing returns before suit was even filed
- with no professionals (so no Gary Graham, no JG Hertzler, and no Robert Meyer Burnett, not to mention no Tobias Richter
- with donors who have already waited a LONG time and might not be interested in throwing good money after bad
- with Beyond coming out this year
- with his actions and meltdowns all online for all to see
- etc.
That's... a bit disappointing, I'll admit. I didn't want Alec to get off more or less scot-free, which he now appears to have done. Being told to abide by the new rules isn't really a punishment. The whole thing stank of a long con, and I would have preferred if a stop had been put to that.
Then again, any judgement made in the lawsuit would have done exactly nothing for the donors, so I guess at least they'll get to see something.
Assuming he can find a way to fund it...
I wonder if he had to give up any money to CBS/P as part of the settlement since that could have been considered profits?
Entertainingly, where does that leave Peters, as he also once worked for CBS, no? Or was he an independent contractor at the time? Would be funny if it's now allowed to be made, but he can't be involved.
And infuriating that there's really no repercussions to his stealing 1.4 million and spending on enriching himself (yay free studio!). Short of a class action suit that I'm guessing won't get off of the ground, he mostly skates.
Interesting spot now, though, where he's kinda allowed to make it, but not the way he wants, not with the people or actors he wants, and he's also dead broke and will have trouble getting more since he blew through the first 1.4 without a product.
A trial would have disclosed, in public, all his financials and showed he spent the money himself, thus opening himself up to donor lawsuits. This is exactly why he pushed to settle right now (vs. the past) because the judge was going to deny Erin's motion for suppressing the financials. Once this happened he had to push for a settlement or risk exposing himself.
He may own the studio but he doesn't own the building it's in. That's going to be another problem sooner or later.
Please tell me we'll get pictures of Burnett moving out of Whateveritiscalledthisweek Studios?
And pictures of the eventual eviction notice!
I wonder if Judge Klausner actually did submit a final ruling as to what would/wouldn't be allowed; and W&S FINALLY got it through Alec Peters' head that he would be SCREWED, and loose big (read major Damages judgement against him VERY likely after the trial) - so in a moment of clarity, Erin Ranahan got him to accept what CBS/Paramount was offering...
^^^
I say all that because it seemed the big sticking point for Alec Peters was that he had to be allowed to make 'Axanar' "his way"...
Aside from what's been reported and the legal admissions Alec has to make; I really wonder if there are any monetary damages included and I guess we'll see what happens with Industry Studios. If he gets to keep it, it does appear a Pyrrhic victory of sorts.
Of course all that will be played out by seeing what happens pubically in records regarding the Studio as you can be sure NEITHER side will be disclosing the full terms of the settlement as I'm sure BOTH sides agreed to confidentiality and non disclosure, etc. -- AND if Alec Peters or any of the other parties involved breaks that confidentiality/non-disclosure, the consequences/penalties will likely be very severe.
It will be interesting to see if Alec Peters (and any surrogates) can keep there mouths shut on this, or if Alec Peters will eventually 'crack'; and mention something he shouldn't regarding the settlement
I'm a bit sad/dissapointed as I think it would have been interesting to see how this all would have played out at Trial. C'est la vive.
^^^
I say all that because it seemed the big sticking point for Alec Peters was that he had to be allowed to make 'Axanar' "his way"...
Aside from what's been reported and the legal admissions Alec has to make; I really wonder if there are any monetary damages included and I guess we'll see what happens with Industry Studios. If he gets to keep it, it does appear a Pyrrhic victory of sorts.
Of course all that will be played out by seeing what happens pubically in records regarding the Studio as you can be sure NEITHER side will be disclosing the full terms of the settlement as I'm sure BOTH sides agreed to confidentiality and non disclosure, etc. -- AND if Alec Peters or any of the other parties involved breaks that confidentiality/non-disclosure, the consequences/penalties will likely be very severe.
It will be interesting to see if Alec Peters (and any surrogates) can keep there mouths shut on this, or if Alec Peters will eventually 'crack'; and mention something he shouldn't regarding the settlement
I'm a bit sad/dissapointed as I think it would have been interesting to see how this all would have played out at Trial. C'est la vive.
I don't see any mention of a financial award to C/P. Does this mean that there is none?
I'm a bit sad/dissapointed as I think it would have been interesting to see how this all would have played out at Trial. C'est la vive.
I'm honestly not sure this is all over in the grand scheme of things. Alec Peters will be back bilking Trek fans at some point.
Surely the more damaging outcome for Alec was keeping Industry Studios. Keeping the lights on in that place isn't going to be easy. Granted he'll get some money from Crowd Funding, but CBS/P are going to have him on a tight leash in that regard.
I *think* it was said somewhere that Alec's role with CBS was more voluntary, which keeps him in the loop for Axanar. I guess he'll get to play the part of Garth again now. RMB is an interesting one. It would be interesting to see if he's allowed to stay on the project. Technically against the Guidelines, but given his close ties in the case his staying on may have been discussed.
The obvious route now is just to complete Axanar as a sequel to Prelude in the same style. Money is tight and in theory they can finish those sets for not much to show some flashbacks. Of course, Alec's also burned a few bridges within the fan film community so finding willing volunteers to take part might be interesting.
I *think* it was said somewhere that Alec's role with CBS was more voluntary, which keeps him in the loop for Axanar. I guess he'll get to play the part of Garth again now. RMB is an interesting one. It would be interesting to see if he's allowed to stay on the project. Technically against the Guidelines, but given his close ties in the case his staying on may have been discussed.
The obvious route now is just to complete Axanar as a sequel to Prelude in the same style. Money is tight and in theory they can finish those sets for not much to show some flashbacks. Of course, Alec's also burned a few bridges within the fan film community so finding willing volunteers to take part might be interesting.
- Status