NEW YORK (Reuters) - An enterprising prosecutor came under fire
Tuesday from Paramount Pictures Corp. for writing "Joy of Trek," an
advice book on how to have a romantic relationship with a "Star
Trek" fan.
In a hearing expected to last several days, Paramount, a unit
of Viacom Inc., is trying to convince a federal judge that the book
infringes on its copyrights because it contains unauthorized
portions of some 300 scripts. It wants some $22 million in damages
and a court order halting sales.
Samuel Ramer, the 34-year-old New York City assistant district
attorney who wrote the book, argues that it is a commentary and a
guide to help non-fans communicate with the Trekkers they are
dating. "Joy of Trek, How to Enhance Your Relationship With a Star
Trek Fan," was released last year by Carol Publishing Group of
Secaucus, N.J.
He and his publisher say the book is covered by what is known
as the fair use doctrine, in which copyright material can be used
under certain circumstances, including parodies, reviews and
scholarly works.
Ramer said he was not trying to assimilate "Star Trek"
episodes.
"Just because you write about 'Star Trek' doesn't make it a
copy," Ramer said in an interview. The cover of the book states
that it has not been authorized by an entity involved with the
creation of "Star Trek."
But Paramount says resistance to its lawsuit is futile.
Jonathan Zavin, a Paramount lawyer, and members of his firm
lugged the some 300 scripts into Manhattan federal court and
numerous boxes of other data.
"We are saying material was taken from each one of them," he
told the court. "Chapters 3-9 are based on nothing but material
taken from the 300 episodes."
The 217-page book describes characters from the original "Star
Trek" and subsequent shows: "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star
Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Voyager.
Other chapters deal with such subjects as "The Aliens; or "Why
Do they All have Weird Foreheads?" and "Technobabble or What the
Hell is Warp, Anyway?"
The book gives advice on "really cool things to say to your
Trekker" and lists the greatest "Star Trek" episodes.
Ramer, who prosecutes firearms and narcotics cases, told
Reuters his first contact with Paramount came when he was hit by
the lawsuit in February.
"I was shocked," said Ramer explaining that he has seen many
unauthorized books in stores and "Star Trek" conventions. "I
thought they (Paramount) encouraged it."
He said there are only 10,000 copies of his $10.95 paperback
in print and that Paramount could have "bought all the copies and
burned them for one-fifth of the legal costs."
Ramer said he became a "Star Trek" fan at age 6. Living in a
dangerous part of the Bronx with his immigrant mother, he was often
kept inside for safety.
"I learned what it's like to be a man by watching the
interaction of the 'Star Trek' crew," he said.
Ramer said he always wanted to write and learned from a friend
that Carol Publishing was looking for an author to create an advice
book for non-fans. Since his wife, Bonnie, was not a fan, Ramer
felt well qualified. The book is dedicated to her.
Despite his problems with Paramount, Ramer said he remains a
dedicated fan.
"It (watching 'Star Trek') is a little present for myself," he
said. After prosecuting narcotics and firearms cases all day,
"It's nice to have a positive vision of the future to come home
to."