What are the limits of copyright? For example, can you copyright a philosophy? The Bible for example existed before copyright law, but what if Jesus were invented today? He would be intellectual property.
As you can see in the above film, Star Trek isn’t just another TV show. It’s much more. Gene Roddenberry intended to make it a philosophy of the future. I can’t help to think that in the court battles between CBS/Paramount vs. Axanar Productions that the issues are far deeper than simple infringement. I’m still boycotting Start Trek Beyond because the shear stupidity of such a lawsuit is in complete contrast to the vision the Star Trek represents.
Here’s a video about the inventions that Star Trek Inspired.
Whether we like it or not, Paramount payed Roddenberry for Star Trek. Paramount owns the property.
Roddenberry made a deal with the Devil, and the Devil will have his due.
True story. A number of years ago a dry cleaners in a backwater strip mall in Hemet, Ca. advertised “Frank Sinatra loves our dry cleaning!” with a picture of Sinatra standing with his thumb up.
They got sued by the Sinatra estate demanding they take down the sign. A little backwater dry cleaners in a backwater strip mall in a backwater town got sued by the Sinatra estate.
The Sinatra estate HAD to sue, license his image, or loose the rights to Sinatra’s image. It’s the current state of Copyright Law. If you don’t enforce rigorously your copyright you loose your copyright.
Well, I can still boycott what I want. The Sinatra family were morons. They wouldn’t lose their copyright over that.
Yes, actually they would. During my business courses we went over Trademark law and property law.
And to be clear, we are talking about Trademarks, such as Star Trek (the name would be a trademark)
http://erikpelton.com/2013/05/24/anatomy-of-a-great-entertainment-trademark-portfolio-star-trek/
“If the number of trademarks is a measure, the STAR TREK franchise is tremendously successful. It may feature more trademark registrations and applications than any TV or film (or combination) property besides Star Wars®.”
http://inta.org/TrademarkBasics/FactSheets/Pages/LossofTrademarkRightsFactSheet.aspx
Well, for what it’s worth, I own the registered trademark on the word REALITY.
http://www.churchofreality.org/wisdom/trademark/
So therefore the universe is mine.
In REALITY, your REALITY is not my REALITY, REALLY!!
(Ok, how much do I owe you??)
Perkel is upset that the vaporware that is Axanar was sued for breach of copyright, and sticks to the idea that it is OK to steal in the name of Star Trek. The Ferengi would be so proud.
That video is super dull. It reminds me that the Star Trek writers flinched at their planned ending for First Contact, and left us with the current blah movie that’s nice and safe. Watch the movie, and the hints are there.
Gene Roddenberry was asked by a reporter about casting Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: TNG. “Surely by the 24th century, they would have found a cure for male pattern baldness.” And Gene Roddenberry responded “No, by the 24th century, no one will care.”
I have noticed Picard cares more about keeping his uniform pressed than getting laid.
From Kirk to Picard…one loser extreme to the other.
thanks