Thou Shalt Not Use the Name STAR TREK

Truly, it does make sense not to use the words "Star Trek," albeit it's a bit anal, even for a Klingon, who is about as anal as can be in the galaxy. But it's true: CBS and Paramount among their rules of fan film creation for Star Trek basically forbid the use of the words "Star Trek" in any fan film produced without the endorsement of the dual production company responsible for the TV shows and films we've seen on the small and silver screens.

However, There Are Some Specific Stipulations You Get to Keep in Mind:

Here's what they released as a legal statement -- giving at the very least plenty of praise for those trekkies out there who want to show that the galaxy of Star Trek is far larger than even the TV shows and movies can make it out to be:

"The Title of the fan production or any parts cannot include the name 'Star Trek.' However, the title must contain a subtitle with the phrase: 'A STAR TREK FAN PRODUCTION' in plain typeface. The fan production cannot use the term 'official' in either its title or subtitle or in any marketing, promotions or social media for the fan production."

What I think is funny is that CBS/Paramount say you "must" use those words in the subtitle. For better or worse, that's some freedom to the trekkie lover of film, for sure -- it is the only instance where you can use the words "Star" and "Trek" in the same sentence. Beautiful.

Whatever You Do, Though, Don't Ever Use the Word "Official"

That's apparently against the prime directive.After all, you don't work for CBS/Paramount or the United Federation of Planets. So avoid disaster like that weird giant cigar probe asking for the humpback whales in "Star Trek IV: the Voyage Home."

Unless you got a couple who can do the whale song for you!

(This fan production did it right, I believe.)