Michigan State University Star Trek Club vs. Warped Space
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Dates: | |
| See also: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Michigan State University Star Trek Club vs. Warped Space
Warped Space was a highly-visible and influential print zine series that was first published by the Michigan State University STAR TREK Club while its creators were students. The zine's creators probably never imagined the zine would have a run as long as it did.
Between 1975 to 1980, there was a lengthy legal battle over assets, reprints, profits, ownership, and publisher's rights after those students graduated, or during their enrollment.
The Beginning, and The Separation: A Timeline of Copyright Statements
Warped Space #3, #4, #5 stated that the zine was an "official publication of The Michigan State University Star Trek Club... Contents copyright © 1976 to the MSUSTC."
Warped Space #6 leaves out the word "official" and states the zine was a "publication of The Michigan State University Star Trek Club... Contents copyright © 1976 to the MSUSTC."
Warped Space #7 (June 1975) the wording changed to "loosely associated with the Michigan State University Star Trek Club, printed by the University Press.... Contents copyright © 1976 to the MSUSTC."
Warped Space #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21 bump back to stating that the zine was an "official publication of The Michigan State University Star Trek Club, printed by the University Press... Contents copyright © 1976 to the MSUSTC."
While Warped Space #21 (November 1976) had the copyright statement that had been on many previous issues, the editor that issue also added: "For information on the prices and availability of WARPED SPACE back issues 1 & 2 through 21, write to the MSUSTC, P.O. Box 16, East Lansing, MI, 48823. For information on WARPED SPACE 22 onward, write to Lori Chapek-Carleton... I hope you've enjoyed the first 20 issues of Warped Space. I'm very glad to have Warped Space 21 done. Please continue to share with me the joy that goes in to the making of Warped Space, as I thankfully go my separate way from the MSUSTC with the next issue and all future issues henceforth..."
From Warped Space #22 (December 1976), and on all future issues: "Warped Space is a publication of the T'Kuhtian Press, c/o [[Lori Chapek-Carleton.... Contents copyright © 1976 to Lori Chapek-Carleton."
Some 1978 Open Letters
Issue #37 (June 1978) included a flyer from the editors explaining in great detail the legal battle they were having with the original university club regarding rights, privilege, and money. The flyer included the names of about 100 subscribers and the amount they were owed, along with a plea to petition the university.
Three members of MSUSTC responded with their own open letter (dated July 1978): see The Other Side Speaks: THE DEBT THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The Lawsuit Progresses
From "Warped Space" #39 (November 1978):
For those of you wondering how the suit against the MSU/STC goes: last month the other side agreed to pay off the amount outstanding on my personal loan to the club with back issues of WARPED SPACE 1 & 2 through #21, which they dropped off at my lawyers. Unfortunately, I cannot pick them up yet because I would have had to sign a form stating that all past and future disagreements between myself and the Club were solved. Nothing was mentioned of the $600 owed to T'Kuhtian Press from WARPED SPACE subscriptions for issues #'s 22 on paid to the Club. My lawyer informed their lawyer of the matter, and as of November 11, hasn't heard anything further. He suggests that I file a combined suit. End of progress report.
From "Warped Space" #40 (March 1979):
A progress report on my troubles with the "officers" of the MSU/STC — having heardnothing further from them since the events mentioned in last issue's editorial, I filed a combined suit in district court combining the
monies owed me on the personal loan I made the Club with the subscription monies owed T'Kuhtian Press. I'm waiting for a court date to be set, now. End of report.
From Warped Space #46 (September 1981):
The interminable legal fight Lori Chapek-Carleton was forced into against the Michigan State University STAR TREK Club (led by members Tina Henry, Marty Siegrist, and Don Calderone) begun in 1975 was ended in Lori's favor on May, 20, 1980 when a Satisfaction of Judgement was signed (although a default judgment against the Club was handed down on March 21, 1979 saying that Lori was owed $922). The Club turned over 567 copies of various WARPED SPACE back issues from 1 & 2 through 21 and the members testified under oath that they had something like .50 in the Club treasury and had sold all Club property except for one stapler over the past two years. In effect, the Club is now defunct, and Lori is trying to recover through sales of the copies of WARPED SPACE that were turned over for the money the Club owed her. The copies of T'Kuhtian Press is selling are for all practical purposes the only unsold copies of these early issues left and are being sold for twice their original cover price, plus postage. Supply is extremely limited on these collector's items.
Flyers and Other
text of legal action. The notice goes on to list issues #7, #8, #9, #14, #15, #16, and #21. Click to read.
printed in Warped Space #41: dated February 5, 1979
flyer from Warped Space #26/27: Note this December 1976 rift: in the form of this statement: "CITY ON THE EDGE OF WHATEVER in any form is not now nor has ever been connected with the The Michigan State University STAR TREK Club despite various convention booklet credits and rumors to the contrary."
