Re: "X Files", and "Forever Night"

On Mon, 5 Oct 1998, Charles Oppenheim <c.oppenheim[_at_]lboro.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> These two TV series have spawned a large number of Internet sites, run
> by fans of the programmes. The Internet sites often contain stills,
> video clips or dialogue in text form from these TV shows. I would be
> interested to know whether any of the rights owners involved have ever
> threatened these sites with copyright or other legal action, or if
> action has been ever taken against anyone running an Internet fan site
> for a TV series. Any leads will be gratefully received.

I know that some time ago (2-3 years?) Paramount contacted many of the major Star Trek sites and issued some highly publicized warnings concerning perceived (and in many cases probably genuine) copyright violations, and a number of those sites at least temporarily closed down in response. The resulting outcry from 'Trekkies' prompted a response from the President of Paramount Digital Entertainment, David Wertheimer, that is still available at the official Star Trek site:

   http://www.startrek.com/openletter/openletter.html

I don't think that any legal action was ever taken against any of these sites, however.

Jim 'No, really, I'm not a geek' Francoeur

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