TSR TSR (2) Confirms TSR (3)'s Acquisition of Trademark (Updated!)

Jayson Elliot registered the TSR trademark back in 2011 and used it to launch Gygax Magazine along with Ernie and Luke Gygax. The two Gygax's left the company a few years later after Gary Gygax's (co-founder of TSR (1) back in the 1970s) widow, Gail Gygax, forced the closure of Gygax Magazine. Then, earlier this year, TSR (3) swooped in on the TSR trademark, after Jayson Elliot accidentally let it lapse, as TSR (2) confirms:

We have owned the TSR trademark since 2011. Last year, we missed a filing date, and another company registered it, though we are still using it in commerce. While we could win a lawsuit, we frankly don't have the money to litigate. So, we're licensing it back from them.

As a result, there are two companies now using the name TSR. You can tell when it's us because we're the only ones using the new logo.

They're opening a museum in Lake Geneva at the old TSR house, and we wish them success with it, it's important to celebrate the legacy that Gary Gygax created.

Ernie Gygax, formerly of TSR (1) under Gary Gygax, then working with Jayson Elliot as part of TSR (2), is one of the founders of of TSR (3), and confirmed in his (now infamous) interview --

The other TSR is a licensee because [Jayson Elliot] let it lapse. But he had absolutely ... love for the game and the products. There was no reason to say 'oh you've screwed up, oh it's all ours, ha ha ha ha!' Instead, Justin [LaNasa] came to him and said ... we love that you're doing Top Secret things, we have a much broader goal for the whole thing. But there's no reason for you to stop or even have any troubles. Justin said, I'll take care of the paperwork, you just give me $10 a year, and you put out all this love for old school gaming that you can. And we appreciate that you were there to try and pick up things, and you produced Gygax Magazine, for in its time that you're also working on a game that you love to play ... because Top Secret was Jayson's love, as a young man.

TSR (2), still run by Jayson Elliot, publishes Top Secret, and is not connected to TSR (3) other than now having to license it’s own name from them. TSR (3) has also registered the trademark to Star Frontiers, a game owned by and still currently sold by D&D-owner WotC.

In other news the GYGAX trademark appears to have lapsed.

UPDATE! TSR (2) has decided NOT to license its own name from TSR (3):

Update to our earlier tweet - we will NOT be licensing anything from the new company claiming rights to the TSR logos. We are not working with them in any fashion.

 

[humble minion]

Well, I think I found TSR(3)'s target audience (the thread itself is good, but the bulk of the replies and QRTs are just vile).

I read the replies to that (pretty reasonable) Twitter thread and now I profoundly regret my life choices

 

[vecna00]

The picture doesn't look like Varg, but who knows. For those who don't know, Varg Vikernes is the guy behind the black metal band Burzum. He was also in Mayhem until he murdered his bandmate Euronymous. He's been linked to church burnings and neo-nazis. So I hope that's not him.

I believe Varg was attempting to create a white supremacist RPG at one point. I don't know how far along he got, but it wouldn't surprise me if he jumps into the mix.

Note: I don't know if this was mentioned yet as I still have 3 more pages to catch up on!

 

[Stefano Rinaldelli]

No one is saying Gina Carano should never be able to work again, they are saying they won't watch things with her in it. No one is saying Ernie can never publish products, they are saying they won't buy anything from him. All people are doing today is refusing to support people. That's a big difference.

In this line of acting, Caravaggio wasn't able to do his work. Even the Pope was sufficiently able to split the work from the man, and he was the leader of a moral institution 5 centuries ago... just to talk about how enlighted is the main stream moral acting of today...
Moral and intelligence rarely walk together on the same path.

 

[Stefano Rinaldelli]

Thanks! I can provide some even stronger and earlier evidence that the creators of D&D knew about (although they disagreed with) the feminist movement. D&D Book IV Greyhawk (1975): "There is only one King of Lawful Dragons, just as there is only one Queen of Chaotic Dragons (Women's Lib may make whatever they wish from the foregoing)."

Creators of D&D were white adult males that loved to play with toy soldier and their favorite reads were pulp novels. Cultural background matters. We don't have to feel guilty because we are playing a game that come from it. The wonderful thing of GDR is that let you create stories that can be different from what there was before. This creative process let you break every costraint the editor choose for you. This is true for Gygax constraints as for todays costraints.

 

[ilgatto]

The two Gygax's left the company a few years later after Gary Gygax's (co-founder of TSR (1) back in the 1970s) widow, Gail Gygax, forced the closure of Gygax Magazine.

Another lawsuit.

Just imagine what might have been (and be) if the history of TSR had been one of creating things and sharing them rather than one of petty greed, corporate interests, and lawsuits.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Another lawsuit.

Just imagine what might have been (and be) if the history of TSR had been one of creating things and sharing them rather than one of petty greed, corporate interests, and lawsuits.

And the beat goes on...

 

[Rob Kuntz]

I wish Jim Ward scads of luck with Giant Lands. Sounds very cool. My final take on this is still percolating, but for now I would say Ernie has misstepped, and uncharacteristically, into many different piles of s*** of his own creation. TSR3, IM(professional)O, is making many claims that aren't true and have sequestered Ernie in some way, which even his brother, Luke, who I respect, does not agree with. In summary this is a very bad start made worse out of the gate by throwing multiple mines ahead of oneself upon the pathway ahead. In some respects I see a collision course between Luke and Ernie what with TSR Con at the Horticultural Hall being announced, right in Garycon's back yard. For some reason I am reminded of hyenas yapping around Gary's carcass. Dignity, honesty and respect for the past, and on many levels, have seemingly been cast aside for an uncertain and ill-executed future. The whole thing reeks of haste.

 

[Zardnaar]

I wish Jim Ward scads of luck with Giant Lands. Sounds very cool. My final take on this is still percolating, but for now I would say Ernie has misstepped, and uncharacteristically, into many different piles of s*** of his own creation. TSR3, IM(professional)O, is making many claims that aren't true and have sequestered Ernie in some way, which even his brother, Luke, who I respect, does not agree with. In summary this is a very bad start made worse out of the gate by throwing multiple mines ahead of oneself upon the pathway ahead. In some respects I see a collision course between Luke and Ernie what with TSR Con at the Horticultural Hall being announced, right in Garycon's back yard. For some reason I am reminded of hyenas yapping around Gary's carcass. Dignity, honesty and respect for the past, and on many levels, have seemingly been cast aside for an uncertain and ill-executed future. The whole thing reeks of haste.

Garycon mostly dodged the toxic crap?

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Garycon mostly dodged the toxic crap?

Apparently Luke distanced himself from the onset. But it's damage control that needn't have happened. Like I said, it all stinks of haste.

 

[overgeeked]

In this line of acting, Caravaggio wasn't able to do his work. Even the Pope was sufficiently able to split the work from the man, and he was the leader of a moral institution 5 centuries ago... just to talk about how enlighted is the main stream moral acting of today...
Moral and intelligence rarely walk together on the same path.

The Pope led a moral institution? Never happened.