Questions about a self publish book.

[JoeRalat]

Hey I have a question about a book idea I have. I wanted to do a book of Original artwork based on the graphics seen in the show. (A art book) If I don't make any reference to anything trek, can I publish it. If anything it would be cool to have some of my work in a book. (Just for me)

Thanks

 

[David Mack]

If it's even based on anything from the show, movies, books, calendars, etc., it doesn't matter if you mention Star Trek or not. The visual representations and designs are trademarked and copyrighted just like all other parts of Star Trek.

 

[JoeRalat]

Cool thanks for the info David. I had to ask..I was not sure. I remember back in the 70's 80's alot of self publish books. Tech books..Map books.. etc.

I guess I will just print one out for me.

 

[Therin of Andor]

JoeRalat said:
I remember back in the 70's 80's alot of self publish books. Tech books..Map books.. etc.

Well, if your book is more of an amateur fanzine, as in "not for profit", CBS/Paramount should tolerate its existence, just as they have always tolerated amateur, not-for-profit ST fanzines. But since the Internet, many fanzines (both text and art zines), have gone digital, saving their editors paper/ink expenses, storage problems, mail order packages, trips to the post office, bounced cheques, and having to lug their zines to conventions.

Keep in mind that many ST conventions are discouraged from allowing unlicensed material to be sold at them. So it's distribution of self puublished ST material that's always been the problem.

If your work is any good, maybe you could try sending a few samples to Paul Simpson, editor of Titan's "Star Trek Magazine"?

 

[Steve Roby]

JoeRalat said:
I remember back in the 70's 80's alot of self publish books. Tech books..Map books.. etc.

Yeah, there was a lot of that stuff (like Jackill's and Ships of the Star Fleet), but the fact that Paramount didn't stomp down hard on the publishers doesn't mean that they couldn't have, or that CBS wouldn't stomp on you now. You'd definitely be taking some legal risks, even if you don't specifically call it a Star Trek book.

And as Ian says, a lot of Trek tech stuff is available online free in pdf and other formats now. People these days might actually be surprised by the thought of having to pay for fan tech material.