Axanar (Star Trek fan film)

[Yurgon]

Allow me to promote a Star Trek fan film called Axanar.

 

It will tell the story of the 4 years war between Klingon Empire and United Federation of Planets, set roughly 20 years prior to the events shown in the original Star Trek series (which first aired from 1966 to 1969, and so 2016 celebrates 50 years of Star Trek :cheer3nc::yay::clap:).

 

What's available so far is a 21 minute film called "Prelude to Axanar" which makes me really, really want to see this project come to life:

 

 

The Indiegogo campaign has so far funded 2 out of 4 planned episodes. :thumbup:

 

Now there's a reason I'm bringing this up right now. In their infinite lack of wisdom, the Ferengi Commerce Authority otherwise known as CBS/Paramount decided to take the worst possible approach and sue the Axanar project instead of offering these guys a job. :wallbash:

 

They yelled "Streisand", let's spread the word. :smartass:

 

For instance, there's a petition over at change.org: Support Axanar.

Edited January 3, 2016 by Yurgon
Mixed up Starfleet vs. UFP

[Buzzles]

No-one is quite sure if CBS/Paramount actually have a leg to stand on. This article actually explains a bit more about CBS's claims.

 

It was expressly in the wills of the Rodenberry's that not-for-profit fan films can be done for Star Trek so despite the complexity of a crowdfunding attempt, CBS/Paramount have to prove that the Axanar team are making it for a profit.

 

 

One of the more interesting quirks of American copyright law is that you have to actively enforce it for the copyright to be valid, so it looks as if CBS/Paramount will struggle use the defence of IP infringement as they've previously let many many other fan projects be created and published.

 

I hope it all gets sorted out though, I was quite impressed when I saw the prelude a couple of weeks back.

 

Edit: Normal caveat, I'm not a laywer etc...

 

Edit2: Italic'd the bit about the wills, as I was told that but can't find anything to back it up.

Edited January 3, 2016 by Buzzles

[Yurgon]

Thanks, very interesting points! :thumbup:

[Gladman]

I've never been much for fan films but this looks to be worth a watch.

[SkateZilla]

CBS/Paramount have a good case.

 

Axanar is using the ST Name, Names of Characters, Races, Ships, Factions.

 

All without a License.

 

as for "Non Prophit"

 

Axanar has been collecting donations, investers, and crowd funding for more than 2 years.

 

 

MGM Shut down 2 "Fan/Crowd Funded" Stargate Movies for the same thing.

[Yurgon]

Not much of a copyright expert myself, but to my knowledge this is the first time CBS and Paramount make legal claims against fan films. As Buzzles said, it should help make the case for Axanar that there a many, many fan films out there, some of which even used crowdfunding as well.

 

I guess the legal battle will revolve around the question whether Axanar still counts as a fan film, and whether it's (planned to be) a for-profit production.

 

Since IANAL and know too little of the US copyright system, I really can't tell how this will end. I believe there is potential for a crushing defeat for both sides.

 

The real question, IMO, is why CBS didn't offer these guys a job and turn it into an official "Star Trek" product. It's obvious they don't care about competing timelines and a consistent universe, so why not have competing productions - one for the masses, one for the fans?

 

I don't know if they fear this would actually lose them money, but my guess is "Star Trek Beyond" is going to be massively successful in any case, and a 2017 or later release of "Star Trek Axanar" would put more money into CBS' pockets, not less. Plus, as Axanar is looking to raise roughly one million Dollars: If they were given a budget of, say, 5 million to play with, the production value was only going to increase, at half the cost of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (and much less than that, taking into account inflation), which saved the franchise out of a very deep financial crisis. My guess is it would easily make much more money than that. Hell, license it to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and others all around the world and it'll probably create enough revenue to make the whole thing profitable even without theatrical releases, let alone DVD/Blu ray/merchandise.

 

Or just let it continue. Who cares if the producers maybe even make a buck or two? IMHO they'd deserve it, as they seem to develop the "truest" Star Trek since a long time. (Which would hinder CBS'/Paramount's position against future fan projects, about to go in circles, I know.)

[=DECOY=]

there is another called horizon

[ame]

[/ame]

[T_A]

Watch this 20 minutes prelude , was nice and well made .

 

but can`t say i like the reality show style testimonials , especially seeing the Klingon general do them.

 

 

p.s

Star Trek was rebooted and i dont think the studios like to be reminded of what a true Star Trek feels like without crazy action scenes ,shaky cam , and 25 year old actor leads.

Edited January 4, 2016 by T_A