A family guy star trek spoof?

I’m already doing my homer simpson drool thinking about it.

mmmmm starrr trekk family guyyy arrrrgggghhhh

Let’s say that McFarlane went ahead and did it without Paramount’s permission; there’s nothing to stop Pararmount from sueing – and even getting an injunction stopping sales — on the basis that Paramount may be able to alledge that such an endevour is copyright infringement and does not fall under the protection afforded to a parody. Whether a Court eventually agreed or not is irrelevent in the beggining; in the meantime the project would be held up (possibly for years), and both sides would get negative publicity, incur the wrath of fans and incur legal fees. Then if the Court ruled that in fact it was copyright infringement, and not parody, McFarlane and company may have to pay up the wazoo.

It’s a risk to try and do a parody on something that is copywritten. Its better business to get permission. You may actually pay less than what you will have to pay in legal fees and an award given by a Judge.