CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

To be fair to Disney, most of their stuff is not just copyright but also trademarked, and as you should know if you've read this topic much, they are legally obligated to defend their trademarks (but have to option to defend or to not-defend their copyrights as they see fit).

 

So... will the Axanar short films ever be made?

Alec claimed the script would be ready at the end of May, but he subsquently has stated that "pre-production" will begin when the Ares/Valkyrie/Industry/Rocketworx/OWC Studio has "opened" - some time in the future.

 

Yeah you're probably right about all that. I never personally saw it all happen, only the aftermath. And I agree that, in retrospect, thinking about the story I was told, there was very likely over exaggerated to enhance the drama from the vendor's POV. Something definitely happened that weekend (the unlicensed merchandise was definitely all intentionally hidden in the dealer's room and the general atmosphere at the con was one of paranoid apprehension) but most likely not nearly as bad as I was told. Kind of wish I was there myself to see it.

 

When will the new studio be open? I'm guessing it will be in just 30 days...

 

I've been on Con Committees and a part of many a local Science Fiction Convention from about 1987 - 2001. Usually what happens when something like illegal (read: unlicensed material for sale) merchandise is brought to the Con's attention by the rights holder (or their authorized representyative) - is the Con Chair (or someone authorized by him/her) goes and speaks to the vendor - and the offending items are removed from sale OR (if the vendor is indignant and doesn't want to remove the items or the Chair feels it's warranted) - the Vendor is told to leave and Con and Hotel security makes sure they pack up an go. I've never seen material confiscated either.

Unless they do something like assault security personnel or the Con Committee person asking them to remove the items/leave (because they're angry); I've never heard of anyone being arrested for selling unlicensed merchandise at a Con. Also, they DON"T get their Table fees reimbursed in any way,

 

No.

 

Which is hilarious since they've already said they won't be filming there

 

I've been selling Star Trek fanzines at conventions since 1979, and have been approached a couple of times by Paramount reps. One time a rep for them explained to another rep what fanzines were. And that was it. The second time, they asked was I selling photos or autographs, to which I replied no. They nodded, glanced at the zines, and went on to the next table.

While scripts are part of preproduction, from my own experience (and YMMV), it's at least several months if not a year before the preproduction might begin. Here at Potemkin Pictures, we're working on scripts that won't be shot until the beginning of 2018. I suspect that's true for most fan films, including Axanar.

 

Unlike Axanar (i.e. LFIM) you have figured out what the hell you're trying to do and a sensible system (I'm not saying it's the "best" or "only" system) that works for you. I have seen no evidence that Axanar is in any way comparable.

 

I could see how photos might be bootleg, and autographs could be faked. But surely reselling of documented autographed pictures couldn't be a licensing violation? I would think they are collectibles, licensed in the act of selling them to the original purchaser, the license passed on to whoever is the current owner.

 

He didn't say which May, did he?

 

I believe they were inspecting the images which, without a Paramount license, could be a copyright violation.

 

Maybe he was referring to the UK Prime Minister Theresa May and as it seems she is going to win the upcoming election it could be five years before her time is over...

 

Well, if it's "Aunt May" - he could be looking at another IP lawsuit from Marvel/Disney...

 

This is one of the things I find baffling. I've been told by Axanar supporters that CBS are unfair and used the fanzine thing as a way to tell me why they're unfair against fans.

I produce a fanzine for a club - it's free (it's also digital, we refuse to charge membership fee's so we can't afford printing!). I've given CBS every opportunity to tell me to stop - CBS exec's have copies and reps have given me content (and offered freebies!).

If CBS was the big bad Axanar wants me to believe - I can't figure out why they're so gods damned friendly with me. Maybe it's because we're not burying the product or trying to earn a few bucks off it. You think an Axalite will understand that though?

 

He was being transformative