Questions about Using Images in my New Website

[Thomas Riker]

As the title says, I am thinking of creating a new Star Trek related web site which would have a similiar format to a newspaper with articles essentially written by my own hand, but probably referencing characters, objects and entities from the star trek universe. I would like to use images (mostly screencaps) but maybe some logos such as the UFP or Starfleet emblem.
The website would be completely parody/entertainment, no commerical value whatsoever.

My question is ... is this allowed, would I be infringing copyright by using star trek images or referencing star trek trademarks such as the word "Starfleet" or "United Federation of Planets". I have heard of this "Fair Use" policy that Wiki uses (and Memory Alpha Too) and wondered if this would cover me.

Help .... Its so confusing. I'm considering giving up creating the website which I know should be fun for any star trek fan to read.

 

[Takomaguy]

Tell me and we'll both know!

 

[Partsking]

I wouldn't worry about it. There's so many sites out there that reference the franchise. As long as you're not making a profit directly off the trademarks, they'd leave you alone.

 

[Delsaber]

Just to be safe, you might want to sneak a little disclaimer onto your page somewhere, like in the footer where it won't stick out too much. The one on my site says "all contents © [my site] unless otherwise noted or obvious", but since you're specifically geared towards Trek, you could say instead "all original content © [your site]; images © CBS/Paramount/Viacom/Whatever".

But to be honest, I doubt the corporate suits are still in the business of badgering non-commercial fansite owners like the used to do in the late 90s. By now they should know better than to piss off the internet, I hope.

 

[Thomas Riker]

Thanks for the feedback folks, that's given me some confidence to continue. There are so many scare stories of "Cease and Desist Orders" being posted to owners of websites about this kind of thing.