The question of canonicity is a complex one and has plagued fans since "Star Trek" began in 1966. The general policy of Paramount Pictures is that anything outside live-action television episodes and films is apocryphal, or non-canonical. However, grey areas in this policy, especially in relation to the canonical status of "" (TAS), further complicate the matter and have led to many debates among fans. In light of this, Memory Alpha crafted its own unique definition of canon in relation to what may be used as a "valid resource". "The Animated Series" is included as valid, or canonical, for a number of reasons, such as the fact that "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and most of the cast of were involved with it and the existence of several references to TAS events in later series.