I'm not going to claim to know all the specifics, but, to quote him/the article:
However,
Peters told TheWrap that he and his team met with CBS prior to production, and the network didn’t offer any specific guidelines concerning what his crew could and could not do, simply that he couldn’t make money off the project.
Assuming that's true, If you didn't get that in writing, it means precisely jack. They could very well have said it, then changed their minds. If there's no binding agreement or proof they said it, you're screwed. Additionally, from what I read prior, some people ARE getting paid. Ergo, someone (or multiple people) are making money off the project.
I mean, if i'm going to go out and make a Star Wars flick and calling The adventures of Darth Mike in the Outer Rim (tm btw)
if i'm going to do anything besides stick in on youtube, i'm going to consult with LFL and a lawyer before investing much of anything - much less getting a million bucks off kickstarter. I'm no lawyer, but i don't have any desire to be sued into oblivion, you know?
If they guy did any research, he'd discover that paramount is a giant PITA when it comes to this stuff. Possibly the worst out there. Therefore, if you get permission, get it in writing etc so they can't go back on you. Anything less is just plain stupid.
The inference of that article is they were going to release it on DVD and BR. Is that true? That'd be pretty freaking stupid. That basically says 'we're looking to make money'.
That said, he does have a point. After find the rules, it does seem they're intended to stamp out anything along the lines of what he's doing. While I can agree with most of their rules, 15-30 minute time limit? Really? You can't give stuff away? Kickstarter is legal, but you can't say for $50 we'll give you a copy of the script? The way I read it, putting the script online would even be illegal as it would be construed as something given away free. Any costume/props that are made by a licensee must be used if that style is used? There are some exceeding stupid and punitive rules on that list. They do no scream fan friendly. Hell, For a handfull of people in the same town it's not really friendly if it means you have to shell out fr authorized merchandise to do so.
I mean, one of the fun things people like to do is take footage and insert themselves, or others, into it. That's banned....
Not trying to defend the guy, but their guidelines are poor and designed to really keep people from doing much of anything it seems. This guy though, seems to have crossed even the most basic of things though. In the face of no guidelines, Rule #1 is usually don't make money on the project. The fact that a number of people are getting paid violoates that right there. End of story.