My name is Zach Affolter, and I am a 19 year old Marine Biology student in the US, with a passion for filmmaking. A marine park in Canada, Marineland, is suing me for $1 million because it claims I've used their intellectual property for a commercial film (read more here: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2016/05/12/marineland-files-lawsuit-against-teen-filmmaker)

The lawsuit is completely bogus, as my film (titled "Black Water") is noncommercial. Black Water is a short narrative set in Kiska's perspective that explores what these sentient, social creatures might feel when placed in a captive environment. 

Marineland based their claims on previews of the film that I released over a year ago off of footage that I got online - I never actually went to the park myself. They also specifically stated that my film was for commercial purposes, WHICH IT ISN'T.  In addition, faces of all visitors and employees will be blurred out in the actual film and I never went to Marineland to film myself - all the footage was collected online from anonymous sources.

I wasn't expecting Marineland to come after me, I think it's really weird they would come after a 19 year old student working on a non-commercial film project. I've released other noncommercial films and have never had a problem like this. I intend to defend myself against this lawsuit, although I am a student and can not physically attend meetings or afford legal protection at this time.

Please help me defend against this lawsuit by donating so I can afford to defend myself against this bogus claim. If there are left-over funds, they will be donated to Orca Network and Orca Research Trust to help protect orcas in the wild. This GoFundMe page is ONLY for legal expenses, not for film costs. 

I think it's sad that we live in a world where students are sued just for creating short films and speaking their mind. We have a right to free speech, my film is not-for-profit and all I am doing is telling a story. Please help me battle this lawsuit, and tell Marineland it's not okay to bully people around!