That's my thought, too.
CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar
- Thread starter Richard Baker
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It has gone beyond someone's twee. The Wrap is reporting this story too: http://www.thewrap.com/j-j-abrams-says-paramount-will-drop-lawsuit-against-star-trek-fan-film/
I want them to pull AP on stage and make an official announcement. This board would easily surpass the 1000 page mark!
The article has some facts wrong:
"The film, called “Prelude To Anaxar,” is a 20-minute docudrama that follows the Battle of Anaxar, a major battle between the Federation and the Klingons. Made in 2014 by Alec Peters, the film received over $100,000 in Kickstarter funding and has received over 2 million views on YouTube. Recently, Paramount and CBS filed a copyright infringement lawsuit seeking $150,000 in damages against Peters."
"The film, called “Prelude To Anaxar,” is a 20-minute docudrama that follows the Battle of Anaxar, a major battle between the Federation and the Klingons. Made in 2014 by Alec Peters, the film received over $100,000 in Kickstarter funding and has received over 2 million views on YouTube. Recently, Paramount and CBS filed a copyright infringement lawsuit seeking $150,000 in damages against Peters."
I'm also trying to parse out whether there's a distinction between CBS and Paramount in JJ's revelation. Can any of our resident legal experts tell us whether CBS could continue the suit if Paramount pulled out as a plaintiff? Or would CBS have to refile in that scenario?
Or, they invite AP the the event, kidnap him, and maroon him on Ceti Alpha V.
I think this is the most likely scenario IMO. Peters escapes the costs and damages in exchange for not making the picture, or at least not in the manner he has so far. We'll have to wait and see rather than speculate.
From the Wrap Article:
"During an interview at a fan event for the upcoming film “Star Trek: Beyond,” J.J. Abrams revealed that Paramount will be dropping a lawsuit against a Kickstarter-funded fan film at the behest of both him and “Star Trek: Beyond” director Justin Lin" (emphasis mine)
The Wrap article, quoting JJ:
“We talked about this and we realized this is not the appropriate way to deal with the fans,” Abrams said. “We should be celebrating this thing. We, the fans of ‘Star Trek,’ are all a part of this world. We went to the studio and pushed them to stop this lawsuit and now, within the next few weeks, it will be announced that this thing is going away and the fan will be able to work on the project.”
(emphasis mine)
What a twist!
“We talked about this and we realized this is not the appropriate way to deal with the fans,” Abrams said. “We should be celebrating this thing. We, the fans of ‘Star Trek,’ are all a part of this world. We went to the studio and pushed them to stop this lawsuit and now, within the next few weeks, it will be announced that this thing is going away and the fan will be able to work on the project.”
(emphasis mine)
What a twist!
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That's the one shinning beacon in all this. Peters and Burnett will have to thank J.J. Abrams for saving their asses from the fire.
I also don't see CBS/P allowing a million dollar crowdsourced "independent" version of their IP. Every studio would be dealing with similar attacks next year if they let this go forward.
I am rather curious what motivations any inner Trek circle people could have to put pressure to end it.
As for Alec ducking financial penalties, he will probably still have to deal with fans who say he created the situation and so they want their money back. And he will have to deal with the track record of diverting fan money into a for profit private business. That will follow him forever.
I am rather curious what motivations any inner Trek circle people could have to put pressure to end it.
As for Alec ducking financial penalties, he will probably still have to deal with fans who say he created the situation and so they want their money back. And he will have to deal with the track record of diverting fan money into a for profit private business. That will follow him forever.
I did not see this happening. I still am not sure I believe it. I still won't believe it until the announcement is offically made.
Fuck, AP will be more smug and more insufferable. Truthfully, if this happens, I think the Star Trek brand will take a hit.
Fuck, AP will be more smug and more insufferable. Truthfully, if this happens, I think the Star Trek brand will take a hit.
This was from JJ and not M Night Shamylan (sp)?
Well, if that's what happens, then that's what happens. It would be a shame for AP to be rewarded for his behavior, but at least STC et al. wouldn't be on the chopping black anymore. I'm still dubious that AP is passionate about completing Axanar.
With how much money AP must have blown through at this point, and given that he was so far away from his budget goal, one wonders how he'd actually make the film. Significantly scale it back? Upcharge studio renters? I actually wouldn't put it past AP to run another Kickstarter.
If they let Alec speak his mind at an official announcement, they will wish they had space jumped without a pressure suit.
Hmm... I think all parties could work with something like this:
Here's the deal, Alec. You get to make your little movie with the money you have now. No more crowdsourcing. You shut down the donor store and get rid of the models and other crap you're selling. You don't have any pros with any real Star Trek connection in your little movie. When you finish it, you give everything to us and we decide when you can put it on youtube. You can forget DVDs or blu-rays, not going to happen. And if you say one single word about any of this, without clearing it with us first, this deal goes away and so do you, far from LA.
Here's the deal, Alec. You get to make your little movie with the money you have now. No more crowdsourcing. You shut down the donor store and get rid of the models and other crap you're selling. You don't have any pros with any real Star Trek connection in your little movie. When you finish it, you give everything to us and we decide when you can put it on youtube. You can forget DVDs or blu-rays, not going to happen. And if you say one single word about any of this, without clearing it with us first, this deal goes away and so do you, far from LA.
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