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CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

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jamestyler said:
I'm not sure about the US, but I imagine the model wouldn't be much different from what we have in the UK. Here there's really two types of cons: The ones that need the money, and the ones that don't.

If it were here, I can't imagine him being of worth to the largest organiser (they don't touch anyone unless they get a deal or they can see worth) but he'd fit right in with the second-largest as it's run by someone who's just interested in the bank. The only thing I can see being an issue from the tier 2 guys is that they run licensed conventions with CBS reps in attendance at the Trek one.

Smaller cons take whoever will buy a space. So I'm sure, even in his worse case scenario, Peters will still book tables, volunteer for panels and keep speaking to empty rooms and asking people for money that somehow won't be accounted for.
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Definitely this. Conventions are in it to make money (of course). Creation sells it as a big-time experience with really big stars. They can afford to be choosy (although Terry has noted they have been bad at working with dealers). ReedPop is a bit more of a cipher but they can probably also go with this sort of a business model. I went to their Mission: New York con last year and it was mainly biggish names and most of the dealers were good and interesting although there was also a gal selling crystals and a booth for the NY Daily News although I wonder if there was some sort of a deal there in exchange for press coverage and/or having a purely local presence.

Get smaller and yes, they need the bucks, so they aren't going to care quite so much about reputation or whether the subject is on point, so long as the check clears for the booth or table. This is how friends of mine can sell their books at some conventions (not Star Trek-based; these are more like cons based in the Northwest which are more generalized). Plus it may not be in their best interests to look over every booth application or ticket sale with a fine-toothed comb, or they may not have enough paid or volunteer staff to do so effectively.
 
jamestyler said:
Smaller cons take whoever will buy a space. So I'm sure, even in his worse case scenario, Peters will still book tables, volunteer for panels and keep speaking to empty rooms and asking people for money that somehow won't be accounted for.
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This. I look forward to many pictures of a creased tablecloth with a carefully placed piece of duct tape just above the Axanar logo, a "Cash Only" sign, and a slowly decreasing amount of "merchandise" setting in random piles on the table.
 
Watching Jonathan Lane's final Industry Studios tour I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. To me there was no doubt that in his voice we could hear someone who'd genuinely bought into the whole thing saying goodbye to the dream.

Of course, as he himself says it's easy as a critic to go through the video and point to the problems, the done up office space, the boxes of patches still there (I have to wonder just how many extra were ordered, or if those were mainly for Indiegogo backers). Seeing the big green screen in all its glory it seems obviously unnecessary.

But to be more positive, I did really did appreciate the final up close look at the bridge set. There's no doubt they were well made, and I really hope they survive their trip to Atlanta and see final completion and some use on screen.

I have my doubts, but it'd still be nice if the 2x15 minute Axanar ever gets made. If only as a curiousity at this point.
 
Jedi_Master said:
This. I look forward to many pictures of a creased tablecloth with a carefully placed piece of duct tape just above the Axanar logo, a "Cash Only" sign, and a slowly decreasing amount of "merchandise" setting in random piles on the table.
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I have to admit, I laughed a little when I saw the duct-tape covered banner recently. I get mine for £10. Including delivery. I can't imagine a scenario where my business couldn't have afforded to spend a tenner on an up to date banner!

Reilly said:
But to be more positive, I did really did appreciate the final up close look at the bridge set. There's no doubt they were well made, and I really hope they survive their trip to Atlanta and see final completion and some use on screen.
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I've only skimmed the vid as - to be honest - I didn't care enough to watch it, but I do feel a little sad for those involved in designing and building that bridge. One of the people involved is a friend and he was so eager to see his work come to life. I hope that in some small way it does, or at least he can see it happen in another production down the line.
 
At this point, a new production coming in and using the sets seems more realistic to me than Axanar happening. Especially as Alec prepares for his next funding drive to pay for it. Although he did make 22k off the recent Industry Studios one, so you never know. It would be nice to get the DVD etc I paid for one day.

Time will tell, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
DrCorby said:
Much as I would like this to be true, the vast majority of Star Trek fans have heard NOTHING of the whole Axanar mess.
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Axanar has studio permission to make its segments so it has a foothold for getting a table at a con and making a presentation about what Axanar Productions is doing.

But they can never just leave it what it is, they are always trying to present themselves as some sort of big production operation in the fan film / professional film space.

If they go down this route I suspect it will be a source of considerable discomfort to con runners, because it will pollute the con with divisiveness over the missing money, and probably be skirting the law with copyright again, as well as speaking out about the studios in the way Alec likes to spin it.

I am not entirely convinced that con runners will want the whole mess to be shading the con experience for innocent bystanders.

Reed-pop didn't even want 'unofficial' vendors on the Destination NYC floor.
 
muCephi said:
I understand that a settlement can contain terms which are forever binding. But if the terms are breached, since the settlement is a contract, wouldn't the amount of time available after the breach date to take the settlement back into court to be enforced be limited by statute? (perhaps they wouldn't sue for breach, but file to the court to enforce the breach terms, if any)
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Simply put no.

A Settlement is a Settlement. Once you enter into it, you are bound by it's terms. IF there is a time limit (1 year, 10 years, etc.) it's written in and is a part of said Settlement. Baring that, you are bound by it's terms until you and the other parties BOTH agree you're not. If you breach a term, there's no time limit/statute of limitations on the Settlement terms. If the other party found you breached them 10 years ago; they can invoke whatever terms are in said settlement regarding a breach. <--- That's why you make sure you read it and agree to all terms prior to signing and entering one. It's also WHY any Settlement is reviewed by a Judge before being entered. The Judge is supposed to look it over and make sure the terms are legal.

muCephi said:
Axanar has studio permission to make its segments so it has a foothold for getting a table at a con and making a presentation about what Axanar Productions is doing.
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Again Axanar has ZERO official 'permission' from CBS or Paramount to do anything. They were SUED by CBS and Paramount and the Settled a lawsuit against them concerning Axanar. As part of the Settlement - Axanar Productions agreed to abide by the issued Star Trek Fan Film guidelines should they choose to continue with the Axanar film project; and CBS/Paramount stated IF they wised to use the actors that previously appeared in "Prelude to Axanar"; that would not be seen by them as a breach of the Star Trek Fan Film guidelines in this singular instance.

Nowhere in the settlement was Axanar Productions given specific permission to make "Axanar" by CBS/Paramount; any more then any other Star Trek Fan Film group is given 'studio permission' just because they follow the guidelines when producing a fan film.

I'm sure if you ask any CBS/Paramount person involved with Star Trek licensing about "Axanar" you would hear:

"We'd rather they do not make ANYRTHING Star Trek related. If they do, we have published a set of guidelines and have come to terms with what would not be in breach of those terms should they decide to go forward with such a project,"

But, again, if legal terms, CBS/Paramount has NOT given Axanar Productions any sort of licensing agreement or official permission to do anything Star Trek related.

A lawsuit settlement does not equal official 'studio permission'.
 
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Noname Given said:
Nowhere in the settlement was Axanar Productions given specific permission to make "Axanar" by CBS/Paramount; any more then any other Star Trek Fan Film group is given 'studio permission' just because they follow the guidelines when producing a fan film.

I'm sure if you ask any CBS/Paramount person involved with Star Trek licensing about "Axanar" you would hear:

"We'd rather they do not make ANYTHING Star Trek related. If they do, we have published a set of guidelines and have come to terms with what would not be in breach of those terms should they decide to go forward with such a project,"
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Pretty much this.
I'd prefer CBS/Paramount to have gone for a permanent injunction against Alec Peters from being involved in ANY star trek fan production, but at least its something.
 
I didn't really watch the entire video but the only set I saw was about a half finished bridge set; was there anymore?

Regardless of PR that says the bridge is almost finished; its not even close.
 
Noname Given said:
Simply put no.
A Settlement is a Settlement. Once you enter into it, you are bound by it's terms. IF there is a time limit (1 year, 10 years, etc.) it's written in and is a part of said Settlement. Baring that, you are bound by it's terms until you and the other parties BOTH agree you're not. If you breach a term, there's no time limit/statute of limitations on the Settlement terms...
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Thanks for the clarification. Useful information for anyone ever considering signing a settlement.

Noname Given said:
Again Axanar has ZERO official 'permission' from CBS or Paramount to do anything. They were SUED by CBS and Paramount and the Settled a lawsuit against them concerning Axanar. As part of the Settlement - Axanar Productions agreed to abide by the issued Star Trek Fan Film guidelines should they choose to continue with the Axanar film project
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All I meant by "permission" was the same tacit permission which anyone abiding by the guidelines is supposed to have -- they won't be sued. But yes, when dealing with WD40-coated teflon like Axanar Productions' plans, you gotta be explicit.
 
muCephi said:
All I meant by "permission" was the same tacit permission which anyone abiding by the guidelines is supposed to have -- they won't be sued. But yes, when dealing with WD40-coated teflon like Axanar Productions' plans, you gotta be explicit.
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^^^
It appeared you meant it differently to the point you stated it would help Axanar Productions get a Panel or a Table at an official Star Trek Convention. To that end, it'll be up to whatever a particular Convention Committee says; or if it's a CBS licensed Comnvention, whatever rules CBS wants enforced with regard to Star Trek Fan Film groups and said Convention.
 
Noname Given said:
^^^
It appeared you meant it differently to the point you stated it would help Axanar Productions get a Panel or a Table at an official Star Trek Convention. To that end, it'll be up to whatever a particular Convention Committee says; or if it's a CBS licensed Comnvention, whatever rules CBS wants enforced with regard to Star Trek Fan Film groups and said Convention.
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np. I was only speaking to the idea that real fan film efforts would have an argument for getting a table/panel, as much as any legit activity in Trek fandom. He could argue for this even with his history.
 
The sad thing for Potemkin Pictures is because of the lawsuit, the local Sidewalk Film Festival declined to allow us to participate in their event this year. Many of the cast of our newest productions were looking forward to our involvement in this event, and their hearts were broken to learn we're not wanted there. A lot of people have been hurt by the selfish actions of one man.
 
Potemkin_Prod said:
The sad thing for Potemkin Pictures is because of the lawsuit, the local Sidewalk Film Festival declined to allow us to participate in their event this year. Many of the cast of our newest productions were looking forward to our involvement in this event, and their hearts were broken to learn we're not wanted there. A lot of people have been hurt by the selfish actions of one man.
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That's.... I'm so sorry. I feel for ya.

And I don't understand. Specifically 'Potemkin Pictures'? And Sid. Flm. Fts. said it was specifically because of the lawsuit? I'm not understanding the connection between Potemkin and the lawsuit.


And, again, so sorry.
 
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jamestyler said:
This has popped into my head a few times. To the point where I've got a story, a location to film, even an interested videographer but.... absolutely no money (or skill - only ever produced live events and never paid attention to anything other than direction on sets :p)
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Sounds better that what LFIM has going for himself at the moment, find a trek club and DO IT!
 
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