From: jbn@forestfield.org   
      
   animefan188@gmail.com  wrote:   
   > Eventually, the studio "institute[d] guidelines on what Star Trek   
   > fan films can and can't do. The restrictions are heavy, and pretty   
   > much prevent anyone from doing what New Voyages did, which is create   
   > a series that's a continuation of a prior series. So this marks the   
   > end of an era of sorts."   
      
   This last part is critical to understanding the overreach of these   
   restrictions. Not only do they go beyond what fair use would allow   
   (including restrictions on speech) but they try to play both sides --   
   controlling what can be in a derivative work and stating the   
   restrictions are not a license to make a derivative work. I think   
   Paramount believes this leaves them empowered to sue for copyright   
   infringement any time they want, even if the work they sue over   
   appears to be compliant with these restrictions.   
      
   This is a very precarious situation where Paramount tries to cut off   
   its most loyal audience from expressing its love of Star Trek in   
   time-honored ways.   
      
   So, how do Star Trek fans want to be treated? How do Star Trek fans   
   want those who make Star Trek fan works to be treated? How much   
   restriction is too much to where fans will say they don't want   
   Paramount getting more of their money?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)