30 Mar Did Star Trek Fan “Steal” the Klingon Language?

Boldly going where no lawsuit has gone before…major film studios are suing the producers of a crowdfunded Star Trek fan movie because, among other things, they use the Klingon language. The studios (Paramount and CBS), according to the ABA Journal, are bringing what appears to be a case of first impression – can you get a copyright on a language?

“Klingonese,” emanating from the (obviously fictional) planet Qo’NoS, was actually never used in the cult TV series, only in the first Star Trek movie in 1979, then in a few others after. My question, since this is actually a real and serious case, if you can get a copyright on a language, is Klingonese even one? Maybe. On Amazon there is the actual Klingon Dictionary, described as “the first comprehensive sourcebook for Klingon language and syntax, including fundamental rules of grammar as well as words and expressions that illustrate the complex nature of Klingon culture.”

I have to admit I used my high school newspaper editor credentials to get into a Star Trek convention back in the day so yes I am a fan of Tribbles et al. not to mention George Takei of late. But who owns Klingonese? That’s above my pay grade, Number One.