A New Guideline To Star Trek Fan Films - Why and What For? (Written by Nicole Cruz)

Among the years, Star Trek fans have persisted to create new stories with the characters and locations depicted in the well-known saga. A considerable amount of films have been released with the purpose of discovering new posibilities for Star Trek's universe, taking advantage of fans' commitment and creativity. Nevertheless, a few months ago, there was an unexpected change in the rules for these independent productions, when Paramount published it's fan films guideline. These guidelines were diffused in June, but a lot of Trekkies and fan film makers where wondering about the real reason for these norms to be created.

How did this happen?

It all started in December of 2015, when Paramount and CBS file suited the fan films production group Anaxar Productions. The suit was made with the argument that Anaxar infringed Paramount's copyright. Even though Anaxar answered arguing that the suit wasn't specific enough, Paramount responded by quoting all the infringements commited. With a lot of public opinion involved, the case was partially "solved" when J.J Abrahams announced that the lawsuit was "going away", showing public support to the suited group.

Anyways, this obviously created some kind of "fear" for making fan films, since now is necessary to treat every part of the process with even more delicacy. In view of this, John Van Citters - vicepresident of product development- spoke with Star Trek's official podcast: Engage, and he made clear that Paramount and CBS had no intentions of stifling fan's creativity or ideas, the real intention was to route them the right way. He clarifies that, for them it is imperative to mantain loyalty and veracity to the original product, and to also avoid any kind of abuse. Van Citters also brought up the importance of knowing the existing (and somehow necessary) differences between commercial and independent cinema. 

So now... what?

Pavel Chekov not knowing how to deal with this "ten commandments" thing.

Fortunately, fan film makers still have a wide field to work with; as John Van Citters said himself, these guidelines where created to encourage fans to create products that did not infringe copyright, in order to preserve Star Trek's value through the years. 

But, for those who made films previous from the guideline releasing, there will not be any tracking or stalking from CBS. These guidelines, according to Paramount authorities, were not created as commandments but as preventions and stimules for fan's creativity. So no micromanagement processes or banning coming from Paramount.

However, what is about to come is not easy at all. Some fans have expressed their disagreement with the proposed normativity, for example, Alex Peters (Axanar Executive Producer) considers that these guidelines are just a method created to end with major productions, and its main effect is to stifle Trekkies.

A Trekkie film maker, trying to fight back Paramount's guidelines.

As a Star Trek fan myself, I have certain hope in what guidelines can help filmmakers achieve. Somehow (and being very optimistic), they create a challenge that -not easily- can be overcomed and, for those who are truly in love and commited with the deal, it will be no impediment. On the other hand, I still have my doubts about this set of rules and how they can easily become (Or be since they were established) a great attempt of commercial industry to destroy or, at least avoid what somehow represented a potential competitor and, therefore,a big threaten. But, what these guys didn't seem to analyze deeply was the fact that fan films are, indeed, a great source of income to Star Trek productions: official products, costumes and other artefacts are adquired to add a plus to fan products. So, with these new rules in mind it may be possible that some of these filmmakers stop contributing to Star Trek directly, and start making things however they want. People definitively doesn't like changes, over all when there was a comfort zone already set.
Although the debate has risen and will inevitably continue to grow, it is very hard to predict which of the parties will be the most affected, since, in one hand we have Paramount claiming on something that "legally and technically" belongs to them, but, in the other hand we have a whole and very significant group of fans, that definitively have been the most important factor in what has to do with the franchise growth. So, if these Paramount guys don't manage to conciliate with the Trekkies, and if they don't start realizing that fans are the most decisive fact in their industry there may be a regrettable damage in a culture that has already reached more than 50 years of history.

Sources:
Axanar’s Alec Peters Responds To The Star Trek Fan Film Guidelines
New Star Trek Fan Film Guidelines Have a Chilling Effect on Star Trek Fans
Star Trek Fan Films
Paramount's Lawsuit Against Axanar Productions Star Trek Fan Film is 'Going Away' (Updated)
Everything You Need to Know About the Current State of the Axanar Lawsuit
The Star Trek Axanar Lawsuit Is Not Over
Engage: The Official Star Trek Podcast