In a galaxy not so far away ...
... science fiction fan films were facing an onslaught on corporate directives and litigation. In their fervor to protect the Corporation, lawyers for CBS/Paramount Pictures, lawsuits were launched against Axanar, an independent production company that sought to return Star Trek to its "original series" flavor. The backlash from fans hit at Warp 9.5, catching the Corporation off-guard. In an effort to recover, the Corporate forces issued "guidelines" for all future "fan film" productions.
The "guidelines", if you can call them that, demanded many things from the producers:
1. The fan production must be less than 15 minutes for a single self-contained story, or no more than 2 segments, episodes or parts, not to exceed 30 minutes total, with no additional seasons, episodes, parts, sequels or remakes.
This disrupts any plans for long-term story lines, a mainstay for the Star Trek universe and limits the fan production to nothing more than campfire skits. Even the studios require three times that to cultivate a proper story line.
2. The title of the fan production or any parts cannot include the name “Star Trek.” However, the title must contain a subtitle with the phrase: “A STAR TREK FAN PRODUCTION” in plain typeface. The fan production cannot use the term “official” in either its title or subtitle or in any marketing, promotions or social media for the fan production.
This is so ludicrous, I am at a loss as to what to say about it, other than "idiots, who are they kidding ... plain typeface? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Arial? Times New Roman? Comic Book Sans?"
3. The content in the fan production must be original, not reproductions, recreations or clips from any Star Trek production. If non-Star Trek third party content is used, all necessary permissions for any third party content should be obtained in writing.
... right, with virtual no room (time-wise) for character introductions, scenario set up, etc.
4. If the fan production uses commercially-available Star Trek uniforms, accessories, toys and props, these items must be official merchandise and not bootleg items or imitations of such commercially available products.
... do we have to provide receipts and photocopies of authentication documents?
5. The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees.
... so a fan who also happens to be a professional video producer is disqualified ... really?
6. The fan production must be non-commercial:
- CBS and Paramount Pictures do not object to limited fundraising for the creation of a fan production, whether 1 or 2 segments and consistent with these guidelines, so long as the total amount does not exceed $50,000, including all platform fees, and when the $50,000 goal is reached, all fundraising must cease.
- The fan production must only be exhibited or distributed on a no-charge basis and/or shared via streaming services without generating revenue.
- The fan production cannot be distributed in a physical format such as DVD or Blu-ray.
- The fan production cannot be used to derive advertising revenue including, but not limited to, through for example, the use of pre or post-roll advertising, click-through advertising banners, that is associated with the fan production.
- No unlicensed Star Trek-related or fan production-related merchandise or services can be offered for sale or given away as premiums, perks or rewards or in connection with the fan production fundraising.
- The fan production cannot derive revenue by selling or licensing fan-created production sets, props or costumes.
7. The fan production must be family friendly and suitable for public presentation. Videos must not include profanity, nudity, obscenity, pornography, depictions of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any harmful or illegal activity, or any material that is offensive, fraudulent, defamatory, libelous, disparaging, sexually explicit, threatening, hateful, or any other inappropriate content. The content of the fan production cannot violate any individual’s right of privacy.
So no half-naked Orion slavegirls, scenes showing the crew being sold as slaves, drinking Romulan ale ... huh?!?!? Didn't the original series show that kind of stuff?
8. The fan production must display the following disclaimer in the on-screen credits of the fan productions and on any marketing material including the fan production website or page hosting the fan production:
“Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made film intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.”
... you know, this doesn't even deserve a comment ...
9. Creators of fan productions must not seek to register their works, nor any elements of the works, under copyright or trademark law.
In other words, they want exclusive control over their copyright and trademarks, but fans have no rights over their own creations? Sorry, but this flies contrary to international law ... copyright exists from the moment of creation and it is the right of every creator to be protected. You cannot have it both ways, idiots.
10. Fan productions cannot create or imply any association or endorsement by CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Considering the asinine position of CBS and Paramount Pictures, who in their right mind would ever want to be associated with them ...
... fans on Facebook, however, have a plan ... enter the "Open Universe" movement ... Star Trek fans (no doubt now 'former' Star Trek fans) have decided to act en masse, creating a science fiction universe of their own in which all independent producers, film and literary, may participate. Work is beginning on the development of a wiki that will be used by everyone to share story lines and keep track of the new universe' timeline as it develops.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode ...
