Are there any IP concerns for Galaxy or the fleet?

[Samson Havercamp]

I'm fairly new to the group so I'm not sure if this has been discussed in the past, but are there any copyright concerns for the some of the stuff that is made? I just noticed this post on the Linden forums:

forums.secondlife.com/showthread.php?p=1004864#post1004864

Considering how much work has gone into Galaxy, I would hate to see any of it removed, especially without any warning.

Just curious.

[Zania Turner]

I think it's best to use an example in order to best solve this answer.

When something becomes popular, it's not uncommon for there to be a desire for the fans to create things, on their own, in order to see their favorite series or characters continue on - even after a show has been cancelled.

That's exactly what happened with Star Trek shortly after the original series was cancelled. People wanted to see more, and started writing stories that took place within that era, leading to the creation of fanzines, fanfics, roleplaying games (usually in person or by snail mail - and yes, this *is* how RPGs really got it's start), and eventually websites, and creative models of ships that are home-made.

Companies can either support the fan efforts in whole, in part, or not at all.

I'm sure that everyone is familiar with Marvel, and their line of comic books, tv series, and even now movies. Although they have not gone after fan websites, they have pursued and ordered sites to take down material that provides Marvel character skins to games like the Sims.

Paramount, on the other hand, has always been very supportive of fan created material. To be honest, without it, there never would have been a push for the first Star Trek motion picture to have been filmed or released into the theaters.

Now that Viacom has merged with Paramount, I think the only way that it would be a concern is if the company suddenly decided to reverse its very long-standing practice that currently exists - to support fan created works. But, I could pretty much guarantee you that, if something like that were to take place, there would be a huge uproar over their move that could kill Star Trek forever.

Anyways, that's just my .02 latinum!

[Lt. Commander Zed Drebin]

I believe that Viacom as said that as long as you are not making money with your fan created content, there is no problem.

As evidence I give you www.newvoyages.com

[katrinabixby1]

There certainly are IP concerns. U will notice our logo is custom. There have been extensive conversations on this topic. Our goal is to use original items, however specifically not profiting on the use of the talents of others. For example Galaxy radio stream, we plan to offer advertisement of vendors. Advertisement on the stream is free, there for no profit being made on the music art of others. Thank you bring up this topic, I hope the vendor all review this stream.