TSR Now it’s WotC’s Turn: WotC Moves Against TSR3

I guess after you provoke somebody enough, they’ll eventually bite back. The company has begun trademark cancellation procedures against the newest TSR.

TSR3 briefly filed for a court declaration on Dec 7th as to their ownership of the TSR trademarks — with an IndieGoGo campaign to fund it — and then voluntarily dismissed it a couple of days later on Dec 9th.

This filing is dated Dec 6th, the day before TSR3 launched its campaign.

In WotC’s response, they cite fraud as one of the causes of action, alleging that TSR3 misled the trademark office in its original application.

Mike Dunford, on Twitter, breaks down the action.

TSR - TSR3.5 Voluntarily Dismisses Lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by TSR3 against D&D owners Wizards of the Coast a few days ago was voluntarily dismissed. Dismissal without prejudice means that the suit can be filed again. The suit lasted two days from the 7th to the 9th of December. The IndieGoGo fundraiser to fund it is still running...

www.enworld.org

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...

www.enworld.org

 

[Jer]

Is that even a thing? I've never heard of an artist trying to get a logo's rights returned to them.

No it's not a thing. The artist I know who does commercial art might be proud of the logos he's designed but he's never thought of them as anything but "work-for-hire" as far as I know.

But at least if one of the artists were pushing for the return of their art at least it would be someone with some kind of real claim to something they made. I think that's why LaNasa was pushing so hard for artists to come on board to the point where Darlene had to make a statement because he knows that kind of narrative will affect people. (That's also I think why he has Ernie Gygax involved - anything to present some kind of legitimate connection to the material he's trying to assert ownership over.)

 

[Wilphe]

The museum has quite a few artifacts. Many donated to the Museum.

WOTC doing the museum right would be nice, or even making sure it ends up in the hands of people who can do it properly

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

No it's not a thing. The artist I know who does commercial art might be proud of the logos he's designed but he's never thought of them as anything but "work-for-hire" as far as I know.

But at least if one of the artists were pushing for the return of their art at least it would be someone with some kind of real claim to something they made. I think that's why LaNasa was pushing so hard for artists to come on board to the point where Darlene had to make a statement because he knows that kind of narrative will affect people. (That's also I think why he has Ernie Gygax involved - anything to present some kind of legitimate connection to the material he's trying to assert ownership over.)

There's a new-ish provision that allows reversion of copyright to the author after 35 years, but requires ... stuff.

If you are interested, there's more here-

Copyright Office.

In-depth explainer (from 2012).

IIRC, Marvel is looking at some of these from the estate of Steve Ditko and Larry Lieber.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

While certain corporations deserve every ounce of skepticism, "corporation" does not automatically mean evil, just like being "the little guy" does not automatically make you good. I worked at a law firm and saw plenty of litigation where the person on the other side of the corporate big guns was a sleazy little con artist.

Yeah, I'm seeing more and more posts of people saying they are on LaNasa's side because "all corporations are evil". Regardless of what one thinks about corporations, siding with someone like LaNasa just because you don't like corporations sure seems like an unwise thing to do.

People need to stop just assuming "corporations bad" means they can shut off their brains. This is a battle between two companies that nuTSR picked on purpose. Wizards would be perfectly happy to not have to defend their trademarks but nuTSR isn't giving them that option.

Heh! I suspect that their records aren't going to be great, that's for sure. But even the holes in recordkeeping can tell a story, especially if there is impropriety.

Would it be worse news if they discover he doesn't have any?

At least some of those dice (and the t-shirts) will end up taking up space in boxes stored offsite as evidence. Fortunately non-existent books don't cost much to store.

So WOTC will have a shed load of dollar store dice they can bury in the desert next to ET cartridges.

Seeing the museum in the hands of decent people would be great. As I've said before, had they just stuck to the museum, quietly sold their old t-shirt designs, and kept their mouths shut, they probably wouldn't be where they are now, about to have their all their businesses dismantled.

WOTC doing the museum right would be nice, or even making sure it ends up in the hands of people who can do it properly

 

[Charlaquin]

While certain corporations deserve every ounce of skepticism, "corporation" does not automatically mean evil, just like being "the little guy" does not automatically make you good. I worked at a law firm and saw plenty of litigation where the person on the other side of the corporate big guns was a sleazy little con artist.

That’s very debatable but would run afoul of the no politics rule.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Completely unrelated, but 'cannibal' does not mean evil. The Donnor Party had to do what they had to stay alive. It's when you start asking people what wine pairs well with their butt cheeks that you start to edge into shady territory.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Completely unrelated, but 'cannibal' does not mean evil. The Donnor Party had to do what they had to stay alive. It's when you start asking people what wine pairs well with their butt cheeks that you start to edge into shady territory.

It's clearly a red, like Pinot Noir.

 

[Ulfgeir]

Completely unrelated, but 'cannibal' does not mean evil. The Donnor Party had to do what they had to stay alive. It's when you start asking people what wine pairs well with their butt cheeks that you start to edge into shady territory.

Well, if it had been the liver, then a chianti and some flava beans seams to be the recommended pairing if we are to believe some sources.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I'm certainly no corporate cheerleader, and will agree that many ills can be laid at the collective feet of many corporations. But in this case I take issue with people essentially saying "Hasbro is a big evil corporation, so I side with the bigot grifter."

That’s very debatable but would run afoul of the no politics rule.

 

[DLIMedia]

So WOTC will have a shed load of dollar store dice they can bury in the desert next to ET cartridges.

I'm really amused at the notion that WotC might end up owning a tattoo parlor in North Carolina.