OGAM DVD

[Amaris]

They have since updated the offering since I went to it but it doesn't change the fact that no matter how they distribute it they're violating the property owner's rights if they don't have permission to do so.

Beyond that, I was under the impression (based on the email I got) that it was more of a behind-the-scenes DVD and not the actual fan-flick itself until one of the posters here said it was the exact same packaging. If that is the case it would appear that they are going out of their way to obscure the fact that they are distributing this without permission from Paramount.

I'd love for one of the people involved in this project to challenge any of my assertions but I've noticed that they've remained conspicuously silent thus far when it comes to the issue of what appears to be surreptitious distribution of the film.

So, OGAM production folks, please speak up and clear the air.

-Shawn

Yeah, some time after I posted that I figured that's what happened. As for OGAM, I wanted to stream it, to watch it completely. I got through the first act and some of the second, but it's just not my cup of tea. There are some good moments in what I saw, but once I'm used to the caliber of fan work like New Voyages and Exeter, it's just no contest, original actors or no. That's no slight to the actors and all involved in the project, it's just not for me.


J.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

They have since updated the offering since I went to it but it doesn't change the fact that no matter how they distribute it they're violating the property owner's rights if they don't have permission to do so.

Beyond that, I was under the impression (based on the email I got) that it was more of a behind-the-scenes DVD and not the actual fan-flick itself until one of the posters here said it was the exact same packaging. If that is the case it would appear that they are going out of their way to obscure the fact that they are distributing this without permission from Paramount.

I'd love for one of the people involved in this project to challenge any of my assertions but I've noticed that they've remained conspicuously silent thus far when it comes to the issue of what appears to be surreptitious distribution of the film.

So, OGAM production folks, please speak up and clear the air.

-Shawn

Yeah, some time after I posted that I figured that's what happened. As for OGAM, I wanted to stream it, to watch it completely. I got through the first act and some of the second, but it's just not my cup of tea. There are some good moments in what I saw, but once I'm used to the caliber of fan work like New Voyages and Exeter, it's just no contest, original actors or no. That's no slight to the actors and all involved in the project, it's just not for me.


J.

No offense to anyone involved but it's a poorly produced and directed yawnfest.

-Shawn

 

[RandyS]

I'm glad to see this come to DVD. It's just too bad you can't get it without having to buy other stuff you don't really want.

 

[Meredith]

They should use the Shareware model.

 

[Tom]

Just to clear the air we are giving these DVDs away with any order from our store, you can not use the arguement that we are over charging for items to cover the DVD cost. You can buy a $20 collectable poster and get the DVD for free (where is the over charge there?) . Since you would be buying something at the store the shipping is covered and we just slip the DVD in the packaging.

- We can not directly sell the DVD with out CBS's permision.
- These are the same exact DVD's we were giving out at the premiere.
- The DVD contains the complete film, re-cut to the full 90 minute format (vs. 3 seperate parts) it also contains extras, such as video interviews and a photo gallery.

Someone mentioned New Voyages, they have a 'Production Club' that you can pay to join and as a result you can get a dvd of one of there episodes as well as some other stuff. So these are some of the ways to get DVD's out there with out directly selling them.

 

[jamesmc]

Uhmm No. You do not get a dvd from New Voyages unless you are part of the crew, and you pay for your own dvd. That is how we do it, and only those that are on the crew get the dvd.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Just to clear the air we are giving these DVDs away with any order from our store,

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

you can not use the arguement that we are over charging for items to cover the DVD cost.

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

You can buy a $20 collectable poster and get the DVD for free (where is the over charge there?) .

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

Since you would be buying something at the store the shipping is covered and we just slip the DVD in the packaging.

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

- We can not directly sell the DVD with out CBS's permision.

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

- These are the same exact DVD's we were giving out at the premiere.

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission. (Why do you think because you did it illegally once, you can do it again?)

- The DVD contains the complete film, re-cut to the full 90 minute format (vs. 3 seperate parts) it also contains extras, such as video interviews and a photo gallery.

You cannot legally distribute that DVD without Paramount/Viacom/CBS' permission.

Has the point been driven home yet?

As I previously stated, it's obvious that you're not getting good (or any for that matter) legal advice. Considering the level of National and Global attention that you've garnered for this project, I would have thought that you would have.

For the record, and I'd like to bring this up again because you've decided to ignore it, when I got your email and went to your "store" you had two items. The 1991 Star Trek 25th Anniversary AMT/Ertl promotional poster (with the three Ertl Enterprise models on it) that they were giving boxes of away for free at the 2008 Las Vegas Convention and you were selling them for upwards of $60. The other poster that you had was the long 25th Anniversary one with Kirk/Picard that was $20.

So, please don't hide behind this curtain of innocence with the BS that you're not trying surreptitiously sell and distribute this DVD when you're selling something that just coincidentally 4 month ago was being given away by the carton for free. The simple fact that you're still selling that poster on your site tells me that you're not being straight with your intentions. Seriously... are we retarded?

Beyond that, it really doesn't matter to me either way, I just don't like the BS.

Between that nonsense in your store and the fact that you think you're being clever and finding a loophole by distributing the DVD without actually selling it, it honestly presents Renegade Studios as a completely amateur outfit.

Best of luck to you in the future, but this will catch up with you.

-Shawn

 

[Amaris]

Uhmm No. You do not get a dvd from New Voyages unless you are part of the crew, and you pay for your own dvd. That is how we do it, and only those that are on the crew get the dvd.

What if I became your best friend and washed your car?


J.

 

[Tom]

Uhmm No. You do not get a dvd from New Voyages unless you are part of the crew, and you pay for your own dvd. That is how we do it, and only those that are on the crew get the dvd.

Sorry James, I stand corrected.. Must have read it wrong when I got the email a few months back about the club. But don't you have to pay (or donate I should say) to be a part of this new crew club (a promoted a few months back)? And even if you are part of the crew (production, club or otherwise) and pay for the DVD would that still not violate anything. I relieze that you are trying to find ways to fund future episodes of Phase II (which is awesome, I might add ) but my point in mentioning this was that other fan film group find 'round about ways' to get things done also.

@CaptainHawk1, don't shoot the messenger . If you want to take it up with the producer I can arrange that. If any legal issues come about they are between the owners of Renegade and CBS Legal. I do know this went through a couple of attorneys and was cleared to go ahead so we will have to see where the cards lye i guess.

 

[USS Intrepid]

but my point in mentioning this was that other fan film group find 'round about ways' to get things done also.

Since the DVDs in question are purely for people who worked on the production, I don't think it's a comparable situation.

 

[Tom]

but my point in mentioning this was that other fan film group find 'round about ways' to get things done also.

Since the DVDs in question are purely for people who worked on the production, I don't think it's a comparable situation.

Ok, thats why I was asking, I did not know if the production 'club' members had that option or not since they were donating.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Watched this yesterday; trying to do the "view all three acts at once" failed miserably. Watching them one at a time worked pretty well -- bar some compression issues partway through the 1st act.

I enjoyed it as much as any other high quality fan production. It was nice seeing the mix of Star Trek regulars and the amount of fan service was massive; I cannot imagine the new "proper" film will provide as much of that, frankly.

 

[Lightinspire]

The only part I could watch was the trailer. I could not watch any streaming, too jerky and then it quit entirely. If you want a dvd you have to buy something...why not do what New Voyages did at the start, offer the parts for downloaded, dvd quality...more people could get it that way and spread the word and thus making it more popular than having to buy something to get a copy. Plus, the production went past their deadline a few times. But hey, I liked the trailer..but I am not going to purchase something just to get it.

 

[Daddy Todd]

I ordered a poster and, magically, when it arrived the box included the DVD Of Gods and Men.

Watched it over the weekend with the other half. We were, quite simply, amazed. It was as good as some of the "real" Star Trek movies, and definitely better than Nemesis and TFF.

The story had some plotholes, but the acting was what really stood out. I guess getting real actors makes a difference in these ultra-low-budget productions.

Kudos all around! It was so much fun, I'm going to break it out next time I have buddies over to watch TOS Remastered.

 

[Sean Aaron]

I ordered a poster and, magically, when it arrived the box included the DVD Of Gods and Men.

Hmmm, maybe something other fanfilm producers might consider? We can hope...

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I ordered a poster and, magically, when it arrived the box included the DVD Of Gods and Men.

Hmmm, maybe something other fanfilm producers might consider? We can hope...

If this "workaround" method of selling fanfilm DVDs for a profit becomes widespread, you can bet that Paramount is going to clamp down hard on the fanfilm community. It breaks pretty much the cardinal rules that the studio has set forth for fanfilms - Money Shalt Not Change Hands.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Well, I reckon that depends on whether or not the poster price is inflated; the DVD inclusion is advertised.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

Well, I reckon that depends on whether or not the poster price is inflated; the DVD inclusion is advertised.

Actually it doesn't - Paramount can halt any distribution of any DVD that infringes on its copyright for any reason, period. They could be giving away the OGAM DVDs for free and the studio could still shut it down.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Well, I reckon that depends on whether or not the poster price is inflated; the DVD inclusion is advertised.

Actually it doesn't - Paramount can halt any distribution of any DVD that infringes on its copyright for any reason, period. They could be giving away the OGAM DVDs for free and the studio could still shut it down.

Well, I guess they'd have to know about it and be able to prove it.

I wouldn't be worried about it myself; the OGAM people clearly aren't.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Well, I guess they'd have to know about it and be able to prove it.

Both simple and straightforward, if they care. Don't think for a moment that any of the fan film groups have any leverage or "wiggle room" at all.