Axanar is apparently not the only fan film bunch they're going after, it looks like they sent a warning to the guys who made Star Trek-Horizon not to make a sequel. Honestly this is going to hurt Paramount in the eyes of a lot of fans more than it's going to help them as they could make fans stop supporting legit productions altogether. While it's their right to protect their property neither side in any of this is coming out smelling like roses.
Personally, I have so far tolerated the 2 Trek movies because it's better than no Trek at all. The trailer for the new movie looks disgusting. As an aside, the new series planned for 2017 being aired on a paying channel I will probably have no access to geographically hurts me to no end as a HUGE Trek fan. Point is, I have no love lost for either studio where Trek is concerned at the moment.
However, one cannot loose sight of the fact that Star Trek does not belong to anyone but the studios, and, as you so rightly say Wes, they have the right to protect their property.
It is an undeniable fact that, just like in the our world of prop replicas, studios tolerate us / turn a blind eye etc, because we are fans and do it for love.
We understand the very fine line / grey areas we all walk here, and never, ever, EVER would dream of poking the bear, even if its a bear that deserves to be shot in general. We play in the bears' sandbox and appreciate being allowed to do so, within the unwritten rules we ALL know so well.
Here in our very own forum, continuing on the example very close to home, it is also our biggest mortal sin to continue to do something regarding prop replicas if any studio is frowning on you. People have been banned from here for ignoring a C & D to stop making x or y replicas and selling them.
And I agree with this intolerance wholeheartedly, for if the forum were to take sides with the infringer or ignore the studios, the consequences for all would be disastrous.
I view the fan movies / series in much the same light. There are no 'legit' Trek fan movies / series.
Amongst others, I actually liked Prelude to Axanar.
Axanar, however, crossed the delicate line. Several lines actually, with a tank, while waving the middle finger, and using a Klingon pain stick on the bear.
I think that, amongst many, many other things, creating a studio for future non-trek productions from their kickstarter campaign funds, obtained from donations based on the Trek IP that doesn't belong to them, giving themselves salaries, merchandising models, even Trek Coffee (!) , etc etc etc, in my books, qualifies as crossing the line in the fashion described.
Sadly, this is now having consequences for some other Trek fan productions. How can anyone be surprised that this is happening ?
I think CBS & Paramount not only have the right, they have no choice BUT to go after Axanar with guns blazing.
Fans with feet on the ground know well that the studios have no fault in this sorry state of affairs whatsoever.
I think it is also very pertinent to point out that the folks of Star Trek-Horizon were not sued outright, were not 'ordered' to shut down, nor were they sent a C & D. They got what they qualify as a heads up.
Full story is on their FB page, in a Post of 21 April.
https://www.facebook.com/tommykraftfilms/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
BREAKING NEWS: “STAR TREK - HORIZON" SEQUEL, "FEDERATION RISING", SHUT DOWN.
Earlier today, executives from CBS reached out to me and advised me that their legal team strongly suggested that we do not move forward with plans to create a sequel to Horizon. While this is a sign of the current climate that we find ourselves in with Star Trek fan films, I want to personally thank CBS for reaching out to me, rather than including us in their ongoing lawsuit against Axanar.
It was conveyed that the reason CBS was reaching out to me was due to the legal troubles stemming from the Axanar case. Again, CBS did not have to reach out personally. The message I received felt more like they were giving me a heads up before we got too involved in another project, rather than a group of angry executives swinging a hammer.
On behalf of myself and Ryan Webber, my co-writer and co-producer on Federation Rising, we appreciate your initial support and are saddened that we cannot bring you what we believe was a fantastic feature film. However, rest assured that Ryan and I are committed to continuing our storytelling partnership with an original project. We also welcome other fan productions and fan film lovers to join us on this new venture.
While we initially planned to debut our Kickstarter for Federation Rising this Saturday, we hope that you will instead stand with us as we announce an original sci-fi project that Ryan and I have been co-developing in addition to Federation Rising. We’re incredibly excited to tell you about this completely original story that follows the ideals set forth by Star Trek that Ryan and I have been such huge fans and admirers of our entire lives.
Please stay tuned for this Saturday’s announcement.
- Tommy Kraft, "Star Trek - Horizon" creator
Why this treatment to Horizon compared to Axanar ?
Reread this post for the answer, IMO.
On a personal basis, even though I don't like what the studios are doing to my beloved Trek, I will not fault them in any way whatsoever for doing what they are doing.
Angry fans should look elsewhere to assign blame.