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TSR TSR3.5 Launches IndieGogo Campaign to "Stop" WotC

The latest in the TSR3 saga, which has gone quiet for a while, is a new IndieGoGo campaign launched to "stop Wizards of the Coast". They cite wrongful bullying of TSR, and refusal to answer requests that WotC show TSR "proof of their claims" (although the campaign page doesn't mention what those claims are). The IndieGoGo campaign was launched yesterday and has so far raised $675 (at the time...

The latest in the TSR3 saga, which has gone quiet for a while, is a new IndieGoGo campaign launched to "stop Wizards of the Coast". They cite wrongful bullying of TSR, and refusal to answer requests that WotC show TSR "proof of their claims" (although the campaign page doesn't mention what those claims are).

The IndieGoGo campaign was launched yesterday and has so far raised $675 (at the time of writing).

The action TSR seeks is a "Trademark Declaratory Judgement of Ownership" which is a court declaration about the status of something in dispute.

TSR has launched a campaign to stop Wizards of the Coast

Become a Champion of TSR and Support TSR’s campaign against Wizards of the Coast!

TSR is taking a stand against Wizards of the Coast (“WOTC”) and its wrongful bullying of TSR, our trademarks, and its public libeling and slander of all those who helped create TSR based Dungeons & Dragons and products.

Wizards of the Coast has continually bullied TSR regarding TSR’s legally owned Trademarks. Wizards of the Coast has refused to answer all of TSR's repeated requests that they show any proof of their claims. Wizards of the Coast has the vast resources behind them and is implying to bring them to bear down on TSR.


The new TSR suffered widespread pushback when it launched, which they blamed on WotC, claiming that they were under a "coordinated assault across various channels being mounted.... by [WotC]" The company announced itself earlier this year, having acquired the TSR trademark after the previous holder accidentally let it lapse. It was run by Ernie Gygax, Justin LaNasa, and Stephen Dinehart. After several weeks of controversy, the company split into two -- Wonderfilled (Stephen Dinehart), and TSR (Ernie Gygax and Justin LaNasa).


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The page also indicates an intention to "fight to have WotC's legacy product disclaimer removed" from older products (that's the disclaimer on the older books available on DMs Guild which indicates that those books are products of their time) by claiming that the disclaimer portrays the creators of those older products as "as supporting those alleged prejudices, stereotypes and bigotry, wrongfully claimed to be part of those products".


TSR will also Fight to Have the WOTC Legacy Disclaimer Removed

TSR is suing WOTC for Trademark Declaratory Judgement of Ownership . TSR will also pursue in the near future having WOTC remove the legacy content disclaimer placed on TSR based Dungeons & Dragons and other products, and retractions of any other libel and slander which alleges that racism and other heinous beliefs are incorporated into those products.

This disclaimer attempts to make a statement of fact argument, and therefore paints all of the writers, editors, artists and consumers of those products as supporting those alleged prejudices, stereotypes and bigotry, wrongfully claimed to be part of those products. This statement by Wizards of the Coast opens the possibility for the producers and players of these "Legacy Products" to face ridicule, and face the labeling as "bigots", "racists", "misogynists", and worse Cyber & Physical Attacks!

Wizards of the Coast legacy content disclaimer.

"We (Wizards) recognize that some of the legacy content available on this website does not reflect the values of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise today. Some older content may reflect ethnic, racial, and gender prejudice that were commonplace in American society at that time. These depictions were wrong then and are wrong today. This content is presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. Dungeons & Dragons teaches that diversity is a strength, and we strive to make our D&D products as welcoming and inclusive as possible. This part of our work will never end".


TSR3's Justin LaNasa spoke about the campaign in a YouTube video.


 

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Mannahnin

Scion of Murgen (He/Him)
Oh, I agree! Sorry, if I wasn’t clear, I meant that TSR’s IndieGoGo campaign says the WotC legacy disclaimer defames creators and players. Not that the disclaimer actually does that, which I agree it very clearly does not.
Oh yeah! I didn't think you bought their angle. I'm just suggesting that the premise of "disclaimer on book = libel against anyone who likes the book" is transparently silly, when we take a sec and think of classic works of literature that also sometimes need disclaimers.

...not that a thing being obviously absurd and fake would be much of a hurdle to these guys trying to sell it.
 




RFB Dan

Podcast host, 6-edition DM, and guy with a pulse.
LaNassa is trying to start a "Culture War" to split the fanbase so he can try to get as much cash as possible from those who supposedly agree with him. Unfortunately, these tactics do work to an extent, if you have an actual platform that people are paying attention to. I still regularly play in a 1e campaign, and run a 2e campaign with full enjoyment, and I never found the disclaimer on DTRPG offensive in any way, nor did I find it attacking me because of what it says (may contain is the key here in the disclaimer). Justin's pulling a 3rd-gen photocopy tactic from the playbook of the pillow guy on TV. I just hope that more people see through these shenanigans.....
 

Ancalagon

Dusty Dragon
Except it very much doesn't. 🤷‍♂️

If someone says "Huckleberry Finn contains some offensive language and depictions of terrible prejudice. They were wrong when it was written, and are wrong now", that doesn't mean the classic book is trash, that Mark Twain was wrong to write it, or that anyone who enjoys it is being slandered.
I was going to use M*A*S*H as an example. I recently started watching it and it is very good - and quite sexist. Every work of art will reflect the era it was made in, and that includes the prejudices of said era. I like to believe that there is a middle road between pretending those prejudices didn't exist, and condemning older art to the dustbin.
 

Ancalagon

Dusty Dragon
Re-reading that thread, I think Morrus has more of a leg to stand on (being accused of making things up) for a lawsuit than they do. Not that it would be a good/productive idea! I certainly am not suggesting that course of action. But I just find it funny that this is the case.
 


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