CHUD article re: FF/Serenity licensing by LadySings

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CHUD article re: FF/Serenity licensing

POSTED BY: LADYSINGS
UPDATED: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:48
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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 5:44 AM

I did a search to make sure this wasn't posted somewhere already. I know this article is probably going to stir up more controversy and debate but I thought everybody should get a chance to take a look at it anyways.

[url] http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=7901

"Well ya know, we studied bludgeoning in the academy first year but by the time you graduate, you just forget everything. I'm a bad cop." ----Laurence Dobson

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 8:36 AM

CALIFORNIAKAYLEE

I realize this is probably not the popular opinion today, but I actually agree with most of that article. Not only do I think that Universal has the right to defend their copyright, I think they have a responsibility to do so, especially when there is officially licensed merchandise out there (here: http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?follow-pro=2&vwcatalog=s
tylinonline&catalog=stylinonline&query=serenity and here: http://search.hottopic.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=serenity ).

I do think that Universal's lawyers demanding money out of 11th Hour is a bit much -- although, I've read elsewhere that 11th Hour did the artwork for the Serenity pen&paper RPG. If that's the case, maybe that's why Universal is seeking retroactive licensing fees from 11th Hour but not from anyone else? If she did officially licensed work for the officially licensed RPG, perhaps that elevates her above the status of common fan in the eyes of Universal's lawyers, and implies that she should know better? I really have no idea, just speculating.

Anyway, I do think the demand for money is more heavy-handed than Universal needs to be, but I don't think they are in the wrong here. They have the legal duty to defend their copyright. If they don't, the copyright can be ruled "abandoned", which would mean no more officially licensed 'Verse, whether in the form of tshirts, movies, mini-series, comic books, games, or what-have-you.

The one thing in the article that I do disagree with is the notion that Universal is putting Serenity into cold storage. Maybe I'm squinting too hard to find the silver lining here, but I tend to think that the release of officially licensed merchandise in conjunction with Cease&Desist letters from Universal, means that we will be getting *more* of the 'Verse, not less. This crackdown makes me think that there is something in the pipeline, and that Universal is making sure that all it's legal Ts are crossed and Is are dotted.

~CK

You can't take the sky from me...

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:18 AM

LEIASKY

If you'd just paid 100,000+ to a studio to make official products would you want some fan who hasn't paid any such fee to manufacture the same product and take away your potential business?

No.

I have to agree with most of that article as well. Its business. It's protecting Intellectual Property - which belongs to no one but the studio that owns the rights.

"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 9:33 AM

STORYMARK

Good article. I have to agree with all the points made.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:16 AM

KANEMAN

Perfect article for the 11th hour discussion going on here. People are all upset about this. My question is: What took so long? Stealing is stealing, after all Robin Hood is just a thief......

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:42 AM

ZEEK

Gotta say I fall on this side of the argument too. As far as legal lines are concerned 11th hour fell on the wrong side. I know that emotionally I want to fight on the side of a hardcore browncoat, but all in all what 11th hour did was wrong. I think deep down everyone knows that.

It doesn't help that this fandom is based on a show that puts big business in a bad light. They still have to do their thing and throwing their weight around is a great way for them to accomplish their goals. It may not be nice, but it works. It lets them exist and that existance brought us Serenity. I didn't hear any complaining when they picked up the movie.

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:48 AM

KENOBIUS

"Can I suggest something that doesn't involve violence, or is this the wrong crowd for that?"

No offense to any of those who were shut down, I feel for them to suddenly not get to express their work and make a little coin on the side, but at the end of the day:

I would rather have more Firefly/Serenity adventures than Firefly/Serenity merch.

I know that sounds about as cold as one could get, but it's how I feel right now. People are up in arms about this whole thing, but they need to be fighting for more firefly, not more firefly merch. About the only positive movement I've seen so far is the mailing Universal to request THEY produce more.

And also, the person who green-lights movies may not be the same person who is cracking down. There are a ton of folk at Universal, don't take it out on the entire company.

http://tinyurl.com/ekv6z

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