A movie studio's decison to sue some Trekkies has resulted in the geekiest claim ever made.
The claim, filed by New York firm Loeb & Loeb, has been made against the creators of a Star Trek fan film posted to YouTube. The 48 page complaint details the first appearance of everything from Vulcans ("a humanoid race with pointy ears") to Planet Archanis IV, and means that an actual attorney had to actually type "Klingonese is the native language of Qo'noS" to get paid. RollOnFriday has set its phasers to nerd to bring you the highlights.
1. The disputed work is called Prelude to Axanar.
Adding weight to Paramount's claim that its copyright has been infringed by the fan film, the title Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar is the Star Trekkiest thing in the history of Star Trek. It was written and produced by (and stars) Alec Peters, whose previous works include Star Trek: Renegades and Star Trek Voyages Phase II: Mind-Sifter.
2. The hero is called Garth.
Loeb & Loeb's complaint states that Prelude to Axanar's plot answers the question, "How did Garth of Izar come to be regarded as the greatest Starfleet Captain of his time?" Burdened with the name Garth, it must have been difficult. So difficult that it seems unlikely that Paramount will ever build a movie franchise, a TV series, a podcast or even a chat at the urinals around someone called 'Garth of Izar'. Nonetheless, it has demanded £150,000 from the fans in respect of the Garth infringement alone.
3. Lawyers had to cut and paste pictures of Klingons.
Loeb & Loeb says the defendants have committed "innumerable" infringements of copywright, 54 of which its attorneys had to cancel social engagements to list. Someone missed a funeral for this:
No detail was too small:
Presumably an associate at Loeb & Loeb, still paying off her $160,000 law school debt, had to stay late in the office to pore over pictures of Garth to make this:
Paramount has also demanded $150,000 from the defendants in respect of their alleged triangular medal copyright infringement, Garth's costume and every other instance of infringement, too. Although the lawyers have exhibited some sloppiness in their claim.
4. The lawyers got Vulcans wrong.
The 'Vulcan' used to illustrate Paramount's complaint is Spock, who is technically a half-Vulcan. Only a complete newb would make that mistake.
Commenting on the claim, Peters said that Paramount was nervous "because of the quality" of his film, which he says could be mistaken for the real thing. Peters has raised over $1 million on Kickstarter to make a full-length sequel, Axanar, and intends to employ professional actors and cutting edge special effects If the claim settles, it may be on the basis that he makes it with cardboard, sellotape and friends who look funny squeezed into tunics instead.
Tip Off ROF
The claim, filed by New York firm Loeb & Loeb, has been made against the creators of a Star Trek fan film posted to YouTube. The 48 page complaint details the first appearance of everything from Vulcans ("a humanoid race with pointy ears") to Planet Archanis IV, and means that an actual attorney had to actually type "Klingonese is the native language of Qo'noS" to get paid. RollOnFriday has set its phasers to nerd to bring you the highlights.
1. The disputed work is called Prelude to Axanar.
Adding weight to Paramount's claim that its copyright has been infringed by the fan film, the title Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar is the Star Trekkiest thing in the history of Star Trek. It was written and produced by (and stars) Alec Peters, whose previous works include Star Trek: Renegades and Star Trek Voyages Phase II: Mind-Sifter.
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Peters, getting ready for bed |
2. The hero is called Garth.
Loeb & Loeb's complaint states that Prelude to Axanar's plot answers the question, "How did Garth of Izar come to be regarded as the greatest Starfleet Captain of his time?" Burdened with the name Garth, it must have been difficult. So difficult that it seems unlikely that Paramount will ever build a movie franchise, a TV series, a podcast or even a chat at the urinals around someone called 'Garth of Izar'. Nonetheless, it has demanded £150,000 from the fans in respect of the Garth infringement alone.
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Star Trek 13: The Garth Infringement |
3. Lawyers had to cut and paste pictures of Klingons.
Loeb & Loeb says the defendants have committed "innumerable" infringements of copywright, 54 of which its attorneys had to cancel social engagements to list. Someone missed a funeral for this:
No detail was too small:
Presumably an associate at Loeb & Loeb, still paying off her $160,000 law school debt, had to stay late in the office to pore over pictures of Garth to make this:
Paramount has also demanded $150,000 from the defendants in respect of their alleged triangular medal copyright infringement, Garth's costume and every other instance of infringement, too. Although the lawyers have exhibited some sloppiness in their claim.
4. The lawyers got Vulcans wrong.
The 'Vulcan' used to illustrate Paramount's complaint is Spock, who is technically a half-Vulcan. Only a complete newb would make that mistake.
Commenting on the claim, Peters said that Paramount was nervous "because of the quality" of his film, which he says could be mistaken for the real thing. Peters has raised over $1 million on Kickstarter to make a full-length sequel, Axanar, and intends to employ professional actors and cutting edge special effects If the claim settles, it may be on the basis that he makes it with cardboard, sellotape and friends who look funny squeezed into tunics instead.
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Coming soon: Axanar |
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