Activision sues Viacom over Star Trek

Merlin · 07-02-2003, 07:36 AM

COMPANIES THE AMERICAS: Viacom sued over Star Trek
By Christopher Parkes in Los Angeles
Financial Times; Jul 02, 2003

Activision, a leading video games producer, is suing Viacom over its multi-million-dollar licence to exploit the Star Trek franchise, alleging the media group let it "stagnate and decay".

The company said it had terminated its contract - signed in 1998 and with five more years to run - because Viacom had apparently decided not to make any more films. The latest TV series is struggling for ratings.

The case exposes the mounting costs - and risks - in the video games business as it forges closer links with Hollywood film studios, in an attempt to latch on to successful movie franchises.

Activision's contract committed it to paying Viacom $20m in royalties and granting the group hundreds of thousands of stock warrants, of which some $10m have already been redeemed.

The latest Matrix game produced by Atari under a licence from Warner Bros, is believed to have cost $30m.

The last Star Trek film - 10th in the sequence - flopped at the box office last year. At the time, British actor Patrick Stewart, who starred as captain of Starship Enterprise for 16 years, announced he would make no more. "When the party comes to a close, it is best to leave before you are the last guest," he said.

Activision, which has made 10 Star Trek games, said that by refusing to exploit the franchise as promised, Viacom reduced the value of the licensing rights and caused Activision "significant damage".

In the past the media group had released a film every two or three years, but had released only one since the deal was signed.

"A continuing pipeline of movie and television production - and related marketing - is absolutely crucial to the success of video games based on a property such as Star Trek," Activision said.

Full-scale legal disputes are common in the film industry, but it has been rare for video game licensees, small players, to challenge the studio giants.

Activision's suit demands unspecified damages and restrictions on the 225,000 outstanding stock warrants to prevent Viacom exercising them.

Do you want to know more?

Bires · 07-02-2003, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Merlin
alleging the media group let it "stagnate and decay"...because Viacom had apparently decided not to make any more films.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

GraingerGuy · 07-02-2003, 02:58 PM

The reason the new Star Trek show is not as popular is because it SUCKS!

sbp · 07-02-2003, 05:42 PM

There is a series on tv and a movie came out last December, yet thats not good enough for Activision.

So Viacom should continue to pump out mediocre movies and products to satisfy Activision? Please.

"exploit the franchise" more like milk it to death.

In my view the franchise does need to take a break and reinvigorate itself.

It would be nice to see TNG crew back in action one more time. But perhaps its better they stop now rather than holding on wayyy past their prime like the original series crew did.

Just cause Patrick Stewart says no more movies, doesn't mean there can't be any more films. It also doesn't mean other TNG members won't do anymore. Plus there are people from the other series. Forget Admiral Plainway er Janeway.

Yes, Stewart is a great actor and he'll be missed. Likely he's tired of the role. Another thing is he almost didn't do the last movie due to the money they offered.

Bloodymess · 07-02-2003, 06:36 PM

Actually I really liked Voyager although Janeway appeared to wear the ole muffin a little too often

slaus · 07-03-2003, 03:38 AM

It was time to stop making movies based off the TNG crew. Nemesis was almost a complete ripoff of Wrath of Kahn. Unlike most, I actually enjoy the show Enterprise. Its cool watching the Federation struggle without a technological advantage.

07-02-2003, 07:36 AM	#1
Merlin Admiral Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Square On My Arse Posts: 7,410	Activision sues Viacom over Star Trek COMPANIES THE AMERICAS: Viacom sued over Star Trek By Christopher Parkes in Los Angeles Financial Times; Jul 02, 2003 Activision, a leading video games producer, is suing Viacom over its multi-million-dollar licence to exploit the Star Trek franchise, alleging the media group let it "stagnate and decay". The company said it had terminated its contract - signed in 1998 and with five more years to run - because Viacom had apparently decided not to make any more films. The latest TV series is struggling for ratings. The case exposes the mounting costs - and risks - in the video games business as it forges closer links with Hollywood film studios, in an attempt to latch on to successful movie franchises. Activision's contract committed it to paying Viacom $20m in royalties and granting the group hundreds of thousands of stock warrants, of which some $10m have already been redeemed. The latest Matrix game produced by Atari under a licence from Warner Bros, is believed to have cost $30m. The last Star Trek film - 10th in the sequence - flopped at the box office last year. At the time, British actor Patrick Stewart, who starred as captain of Starship Enterprise for 16 years, announced he would make no more. "When the party comes to a close, it is best to leave before you are the last guest," he said. Activision, which has made 10 Star Trek games, said that by refusing to exploit the franchise as promised, Viacom reduced the value of the licensing rights and caused Activision "significant damage". In the past the media group had released a film every two or three years, but had released only one since the deal was signed. "A continuing pipeline of movie and television production - and related marketing - is absolutely crucial to the success of video games based on a property such as Star Trek," Activision said. Full-scale legal disputes are common in the film industry, but it has been rare for video game licensees, small players, to challenge the studio giants. Activision's suit demands unspecified damages and restrictions on the 225,000 outstanding stock warrants to prevent Viacom exercising them. Do you want to know more? __________________

07-02-2003, 02:58 PM	#3
GraingerGuy Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Working....and working...and working some more Posts: 3,573	The reason the new Star Trek show is not as popular is because it SUCKS! __________________ potato gun + marshmallow gun = FLAMING MARSHMALLOWS OF DOOM!!!!! -Welfareloser 4/13/05 Time to switch to AMD now I guess... (just kidding... ) -Darkfury 5/23/05 I don't think this'll stop anything though - the better you idiot-proof a system, the more impressive the idiot becomes. -ShawnLee 5/30/08

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07-02-2003, 05:42 PM	#4
sbp Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 11,037	There is a series on tv and a movie came out last December, yet thats not good enough for Activision. So Viacom should continue to pump out mediocre movies and products to satisfy Activision? Please. "exploit the franchise" more like milk it to death. In my view the franchise does need to take a break and reinvigorate itself. It would be nice to see TNG crew back in action one more time. But perhaps its better they stop now rather than holding on wayyy past their prime like the original series crew did. Just cause Patrick Stewart says no more movies, doesn't mean there can't be any more films. It also doesn't mean other TNG members won't do anymore. Plus there are people from the other series. Forget Admiral Plainway er Janeway. Yes, Stewart is a great actor and he'll be missed. Likely he's tired of the role. Another thing is he almost didn't do the last movie due to the money they offered.

07-02-2003, 06:36 PM	#5
Bloodymess Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Irvington, NY, USA Posts: 217	Actually I really liked Voyager although Janeway appeared to wear the ole muffin a little too often

07-03-2003, 03:38 AM	#6
slaus Commander Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,189	It was time to stop making movies based off the TNG crew. Nemesis was almost a complete ripoff of Wrath of Kahn. Unlike most, I actually enjoy the show Enterprise. Its cool watching the Federation struggle without a technological advantage.

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