GoFundMe Launched to Support Anas Abdin’s Star Trek: Discovery Lawsuit

Jorge Arenas |

Oct 13, 2019

A GoFundMe has been launched to help support Anas Abdin in his lawsuit against CBS and Star Trek: Discovery.

Anas Abdin, the creator of the point and click Tardigrades game, announced back in September that the judge had ruled in favor of CBS in his lawsuit.

In his lawsuit, Abdin claimed CBS had lifted ideas from his game and put them into Star Trek: Discovery.

Abdin specifically pointed out that his idea of using a Tardigrade for interstellar travel was lifted from the game. He also claimed the Star Trek: Discovery relationship between Hugh Colber and Paul Stamets was extremely similar to his characters Aziz and Maciek.

In late September, Abdin claimed the judge had ruled in favor of CBS.

He wrote on his blog:

“I just returned from visiting dad from the cemetery, I got the news that the judge ruled against me. I would like to thank everyone who supported me. I don’t have enough words to describe my gratitude to everyone who believed in me and my case. I cannot thank my lawyers enough for believing in me and fighting for me. I respect the ruling and I expect everyone to do so. I’m not sure what happens to my project now, or my independent-game development career in general.”

He would also write on Twitter:

I just returned from visiting dad from the cemetery, I got the news that the judge ruled against me. I don’t have enough words to describe my gratitude to everyone who believed in me. I’m not sure what happens to my #IndieGameDev https://t.co/5o28iCC5dt

— ˹Anas Abdin˼ 🌿💦🐛 (@AnasAbdin) September 20, 2019

The lawsuit seemed to be over. However, YouTuber Nerdrotic aka Gary Buechler announced he was creating a GoFundMe in order to raise funds for Anas to appeal the initial ruling.

In fact, Abdin would write on his blog that he has already filed an appeal to the ruling.

He writes:

“I have filed an appeal to the ruling regarding the Tardigrades lawsuit. As an independent creator, I found myself with no rights. If I don’t have rights, so does everyone else.”

Abdin continues:

“I have always wished I could carry the financial side alone, but the numbers are getting ridiculously high and I have exhausted all my resources. I want to expand my defense team with more consultants and technical experts.”

That’s where Gary Buechler of Nerdrotic comes in:

“My dear friend Gary Buechler (Nerdrotic) have helped me set up a Go Fund Me page. It is so hard for me to ask for your donations. I have never done that before and never wanted it to come to this point. All I can say is thanks to all of your support from the beginning of this lawsuit.”

Buechler would take to Twitter writing, “Please help Anas Abdin, an independent artist fighting to keep HIS creation.”

He adds, “I have started a GoFundMe to help him with some of his legal fees for his appeal against CBS and Star Trek.”

Please help @AnasAbdin, an independent artist fighting to keep HIS creation. I have started a GoFundMe to help him with some of his legal fees for his appeal against CBS and Star Trek. More info to come. Video in the morning. #JusticeForAnas #Tardigrades https://t.co/hyGiyBRYgU

— Nerdrotic (@Nerdrotics) October 12, 2019

The GoFundMe has already raised $15,465 out of a targeted goal of $20,000. It has been supported by 389 donors.

Following the success of the GoFundMe and the outpouring of support he’s received, Abdin wrote an impassioned post on his blog, where he called on independent creators to join his cause.

“It took me a while to be able to type anything on my keyboard. Every time I try to start a sentence I get too emotional and tears fill my eyes. Gratitude tears,” Abdin writes.

He continues, “Knowing that there are so many of you willing to support me the way you do is beyond comprehension. After the long years of feeling how hard and unjust this world had become, I feel much more powerful to continue standing against this storm.”

He then calls on independent creators to join him:

“I have a request though, if you are an independent creator of any sort, streamer, writer, blogger, scientist, researcher, author, educator, actor, podcaster, editor, journalist, columnist, artist, game developer, composer, entertainer, YouTuber, content creator, wrestler, personal trainer, freelance lawyer, consultant, life couch, or any other creation that you are doing independently, please feel free to join this cause and help fight against the bullies and the oppression of lawless corporations and the stealing of our, your, intellectual properties.”

He then encourages independent creators to share their work with him as he will share it as well.

“Share your work with me, comment here or go to my social channels I will gladly share your work. I am blessed with great friends whom believed in my case and helped me get the word out.”

Finally, Abdin requests other creators to share their stories about IP theft or plagiarism.

“If you have been a victim of IP theft or plagiarism please let me know too. Don’t be quiet, you have a voice and you must be heard. Use the hashtag #IndependentCreator as much as possible. You are strong and powerful as an individual. You have been feeding those corrupt corporations for years without credit. Can you imagine how powerful we would be when we stick together?”

You can back the GoFundMe here.

Do you plan on donating to the GoFundMe?