Trek Fan Film Axanar Sued

But despite a history of leniency on fan projects, Paramount and CBS have launched a bid to shut down production, claiming it infringes on their intellectual property. “Axanar is the story of Garth of Izar, the legendary Starfleet captain who is Captain Kirk’s hero … Although the plaintiffs have allowed ample cosplaying over the years and even permitted other derivatives like amateur Star Trek shows to circulate, the lawsuit illustrates that there is a place where no man has gone before, where the entertainment studios are not willing to let be occupied: Crowdfunded, professional-quality films that use copyrighted “elements” like Vulcans and Klingons, Federation starships, phasers, and stuff like the “look and feel of the planet, the characters” costumes, their pointy ears, and their distinctive hairstyle'”.

“Star Trek is a treasured franchise in which CBS and Paramount continue to produce new original content for its large universe of fans”.

Photo credit: Zade Rosenthal/Zade Rosenthal The movie won’t include actors Chris Pine (right) and Zachary Quinto (left), but CBS and Paramount don’t want producers of “Axanar” to use the characters they play, either. “Their activity clearly violates our Star Trek copyrights which, of course, we will continue to vigorously protect”.

The Hollywood Reporter just revealed that CBS and Paramount filed a lawsuit on Christmas Day seeking an injunction against Axanar in an effort to get the movie scrapped as well as seek damages for “direct, contributory and vicarious copyright infringement”.

Speaking to The Wrap a few months ago when Axanar was first gaining traction, Peters noted how CBS has been fairly welcoming of similar fan-made works. Four other TV series have aired and Paramount has released a dozen “Star Trek” movies with “Star Trek: Beyond” due out in July.

So the next time you’re thinking of contributing to a fan film Kickstarter promising “a professional product”, keep in mind that the artists involved may not have a legal right to create that professional product.

The defense counters that Axanar Productions is a purely noncommercial venture, and that all the money raised in the crowdfunding campaigns will go straight into the film’s budget.

But, Axanar isn’t your typical fan film.

The first “Star Trek” episode aired in 1966 and the series ran for three years.

When it comes to passionate fan-bases, it’s kind of hard to match Star Trek fans.