"Axanar" filmmaker Alec Peters has responded to lawsuit filed against him by Paramount Pictures and CBS Studios over numerous copyright infringement of "Star Trek" movie. Peters called the crowdfunded film "a love letter to a beloved franchise."
Peters, the executive producer for "Axanar," released an official statement on the movie's Facebook page upon hearing the news that he and Axanar Productions are being sued for using "Star Trek's" copyrighted materials including characters, settings and themes.
"Axanar is a fan film. Fan films - whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise - are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We're not doing anything new here," explained Peters.
He added, "Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek's devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That's all we're trying to do here."
Peters say he hopes that the matter can be settled "in a fair and amicable manner." He said, "Like everything related to Axanar Productions, we take this matter very seriously and remain open to discussing solutions with all parties that can be mutually beneficial."
Based on the complaint filed, Paramount and CBS demand $150,000 "for each separate Star Trek Copyrighted Work infringed. "Axanar" has raised a total fund of $569,176 as of press time based on its Indiegogo page, but the independent film reportedly already gathered more than $1 million.
The film is described as "the first fully-professional, independent Star Trek film."
"While some may call it a 'fan film' as we are not licensed by CBS, Axanar has professionals working in front and behind the camera, with a fully-professional crew--many of whom have worked on Star Trek itself--who ensure Axanar will be the quality of Star Trek that all fans want to see."
