Shadow Fleet Star Trek RPG

[Torngate]

Site Name: Shadow Fleet

Link: http://www.shadowfleet.org/forum

Shadow Fleet was established in January of 2007 to bring Star Trek fans together in community discussion as well as canon based, high-quality role-playing. Today, we're a growing internet presence and offer a friendly, welcoming environment and a place for players to indulge their literary talents with the chance of in-character and out-of-character rewards.

But of course, you're not here for an advertising pitch. You're here to see what this is.

Here are the details for you who have ventured here, and I thank you for reading.

The site's main goal is a Star Trek themed Forum-Based RP set in the late 2300's. Characters start as either Cadets or Crewmen, and work their way up the commissioned or enlisted skill tracks, participating in their chosen department as members of a real Starfleet crew.

Our members come from all across the globe- Anyone from 13 years of age or older is welcome to participate, so long as they can follow our site's rules, as outlined in our help files. Our members also use Skype and Discord off of the site to keep in contact with each other, but that's not required.

Fast Facts at time of writing:
~150,000 posts
Over 6,000 topics
Founded in 2007 using SMF, and proudly ever since!
Primary Theme: Ambassador by Crip

Some Mods Used:
(Obviously not all for security reasons)
- SMFPacks' Shoutbox
- Enhanced Dropdown
- Users Online Today
- Remove Reply Prefix
- Member Awards
- Global Headers and Footers
- Treasury
- Auto Refresh Who Index
- Optimus
- Invitation Message In Your Face
- Inline Hover Spoiler
- More!

You can view most features of the site as a guest. For a more in-depth preview, without posting abilities, you can use the following credentials:

Username: Sample_Account
Password: SamplePass

*NOTE: Use of the Sample Account or usage of the link above constitutes an agreement to follow all site rules while on the site. Failure to follow these rules will result in the account being terminated or guest being banned. All content on the site belongs to their respective owners. Copying of posts without Admin approval is forbidden.

(I have to put this because we've had issues in the past of people stealing our stuff... Seriously, just don't be that guy and we'll all be good.)

[Looking]

Nice, did you get permission from CBS / Paramount for the brand name usage?

[Torngate]

Nice, did you get permission from CBS / Paramount for the brand name usage?

While I can't answer to the fact if the original owners did (We're on about our third (?) set of owners), we've made sure to stay as far into what (At least I) hope keeps us in their good graces... or at least not a primary focus.

A) We don't infringe on anything CBS seems to be even going near with their content
B) We don't do anything to make money on the site (All the money donated goes toward paying for the site)
C) We don't claim to hold any ownership of any Star Trek works.

We've never had any issues in my memory, and we stick pretty close to a similar model as other Trek sites. But as always, if CBS/Paramount wanted to have us stop, they could very easily.

But I can't say for sure, as I said, so if we've specifically gone out of our way to get on their radar. (Not my wheelhouse, so I can't speak wholly authoritatively on that)

[Looking]

I understand. I only brought it up because we also run RPGs and one player decided to GM a game about Star Trek so he is in the process of seeking permission. They seem to be more relax on it than the Star Wars owners.

[SaltedWeb]

Love that forum look nice job..

[Arantor]

I understand. I only brought it up because we also run RPGs and one player decided to GM a game about Star Trek so he is in the process of seeking permission. They seem to be more relax on it than the Star Wars owners.

Paramount is generally ok with it provided you're not making money off their IP.

[Looking]

@Arantor: Where does it specifically state that in writing? While I do not doubt that given their highlight of fan sites if someone wants to cause trouble they can without the permission in print.

[Arantor]

Interview with the people behind Star Trek Continues

Yes, should get permission but this is generally not a problem unless you're looking to monetise their IP (which is the problem Axanar had)

[Looking]

That's just a third party interview. Here is my response to a gamer who wants to do this and should help others seeking permission: Anronrosby's Star Trek RPG Review - Page 2 of 2.

[Arantor]

Sorry for trying to provide something quickly without having the time to deep research it.

[Looking]

No problem, you are forgiven.

[SaltedWeb]

Having been on the opposite end and was contacted by a major corporate player. I can say its best to get permission. I even unknowingly did something and it turned into a huge issue. Because we were making money off of it sorta.. it was indirectly but apparently that didn't matter.
The good news was rather then go into a long bitter battle with me, they bought  me out and I gave them my work. But losing something you worked hard at sucks. So why they may not go after you because you are not making any money, you are using the site in what the law says unclean hands. And they could if someone was bored and complained take the work you have and you would have no leg to stand on. Also if you think the past owners had permission it matters not. You can not transfer permission from a third party unless that right was specifically in writing. Which it sounds like it wasn't.  You are a small fish in a big pond when it comes to that Franchise, and even starting the ball running asking for permission shows your intent to do the right thing. I wouldn't wait until they contact you.  I am a non-attorney comment posting, this is not legal advice of anykind :-)

[Looking]

Nice one SaltedWeb.