(written from a Production point of view)
Cinema International Corporation (often abbreviated to CIC) was a film distribution company, founded in 1971. Originally created as a joint venture of Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios, the company was responsible for the distribution of the studios' theatrical releases outside North America.
In 1973, MGM Studios became a partner of the company. At the same time, CIC developed a home video distribution arm, CIC Video, and began operations in the United Kingdom.
The company distributed Star Trek: The Motion Picture internationally upon its release in 1979.
In 1981, CIC was reorganized into United International Pictures. The home video division became a joint venture of the home video divisions of Paramount and Universal, and went on to release the various Star Trek series on VHS.