Legal Statement

CBS Television and Paramount Pictures are the joint owners of Star Trek, all related properties, and all derivative works, including all elements in Star Trek: Excelsior originating in the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek: Excelsior is grateful to CBS/Paramount for refraining from sending us a cease-and-desist order (at least so far!). Legally, under U.S. copyright law and the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, the copyright status of fan-produced audio dramas is somewhat ambiguous. Star Trek: Excelsior voluntarily complies with the terms of the informal, verbal agreement between Paramount Pictures and Cow Creek Films in 2004. This agreement led to the rescinding of Paramounts cease-and-desist order against Cow Creek Films and Star Trek: New Voyages (now Star Trek: Phase II). The terms, according to Trek fan production expert Alan Anderton, were as follows:

1. Star Trek: Excelsior cannot generate profit of any kind, whether direct or indirect, for its creators or staff.
2. Star Trek: Excelsior cannot be aired at festivals, conventions, or any other venue where money is charged for admission -- either directly for the film or the event itself.
3. Star Trek: Excelsior can only be offered as a free download. The creators and staff cannot request or accept monetary donations.
4. CBS Television and Paramount Pictures have NOT given Star Trek: Excelsior permission. They have made a verbal, informal agreement to "turn a blind eye" to Star Trek: Excelsior as long as the show and its creators abide by the above rules. All rights remain reserved to CBS Television and Paramount Pictures.

Any questions, legal statements, or demands should be directed to starshipexcelsior@gmail.com. We will reply to legal claims within a time period consistent with advice given us by legal counsel, as required by law, or within seven (7) days. We sincerely hope we never have occasion to worry about that. We will do whatever is possible to satisfy the legitimate complaints of copyright holders, especially CBS Television and Paramount Pictures, and we hope our good-faith attempts to overcome any problems or complaints will obviate the need to resort to any legal action.