CBS, Paramount Pictures release guidelines for Star Trek fan films
Thinking about shooting a Star Trek parody movie? Follow these rules so you won't get sued by CBS and Paramount.
A model of the USS Enterprise from the Star Trek movie franchise, displayed above the CBS booth at the Licensing Expo 2016.
Amidst an ongoing copyright-infringement case between CBS, Paramount and the crowdfunded fan film "Star Trek: Axanar," the two media companies outlined several guidelines for any future Star Trek fan productions. (Editors' note: CNET is owned by CBS.)
In an open letter to fans, CBS and Paramount wrote that they want to support and encourage fan creativity. The guidelines also state that the companies "will not object to, or take legal action against, Star Trek fan productions that are nonprofessional and amateur and meet the following guidelines."
The rules emphasize that these films must be a fan production, and no professional creators or actors can participate. The production can't be distributed in any physical format (like a DVD or Blu-ray disk) and cannot include nudity, alcohol or drug use. Official merchandise for Star Trek costumes and props must be used, and funding cannot exceed $50,000.
Fan productions also cannot include the name "Star Trek" in the title. But they can have a subtitle that contains the phrase, "A Star Trek fan production" in a plain typeface (as in, not any font that resembles those used by the Star Trek franchise).
You can check out the complete list of rules at the official Star Trek site.
Editors' Note: This piece has been updated to reflect that the legal case against "Star Trek: Axanar" is still continuing.