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 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).

TSR - TSR3 Blames Widespread Pushback On WotC

In an unexpected turn of events, the primary individuals behind TSR3 have claimed the pushback they've received on social media and elsewhere was orchestrated by .... D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast (a company which has thus far remained completely silent on recent events). TSR3 is run by...

www.enworld.org

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.

TSR - Companies & Freelancers Distance Themselves From The New TSR

The new TSR (which I refer to as TSR3 to avoid confusion) has doubled down on its stance--which has been widely condemned online--via an ongoing series of tweets and replies from its TSR Games, Giantlands, and Dungeon Hobby Museum social media accounts (possibly operated by Justin LaNasa) in an...

www.enworld.org

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The fundraiser might be continuing because they plan to re-file the case at a later date and need more $$$. After all, they were allowed to discontinue the suit without prejudice.

Personally , I’m starting to think of J. LaNasa as “Father Griftsmas”.

 

[Mort]

The fundraiser might be continuing because they plan to re-file the case at a later date and need more $$$. After all, they were allowed to discontinue the suit without prejudice.

Personally , I’m starting to think of J. LaNasa as “Father Griftsmas”.

To be clear, NuTSRs attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal (where he stated the dismissal was without prejudice) - there was no motion or order from the court. Heck the notice was filed before anyone from WoTC even filed an appearance.

One could almost get the impression that the whole filing was a stunt, designed to juice more donations from rubes - for the cost of a filing fee.

 

[RFB Dan]

Wow this has been entertaining. Every time I think I have more to chime in about I find somebody already got to it. I would agree that this is some sort of grift. I'm also about 40% certain that LaNassa will be using this to portray himself as a victim of the "woke crowd" (whatever that is) and springboard the publicity into another political run. It's either that or he's just like my dog when it comes to courage: smol dog borks at snow in backyard, I let him outside, he cries and demands to be let in because now he's cold and skeered.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

To be clear, NuTSRs attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal (where he stated the dismissal was without prejudice) - there was no motion or order from the court. Heck the notice was filed before anyone from WoTC even filed an appearance.

One could almost get the impression that the whole filing was as stunt, designed to juice more donations from rubes - for the cost of a filing fee.

That‘s what I was getting at, exactly. It’s a grift.

Personally, if it weren’t for the risk of adding fuel to a culture war in the community, I’d have advised WotC to file countersuit, to ensure nuTSR couldn’t venture down this path again.

 

[Ancalagon]

So the date on the document is October 21, but it has been filed on December 10th... can someone comment on the significance of that?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

So the date on the document is October 21, but it has been filed on December 10th... can someone comment on the significance of that?

Options:

1) it’s a simple editing error, and someone got the date wrong.
2) they actually drafted the withdrawal before filing the case, just to be thorough, and forgot to change the date when they filed it.
3) they actually drafted the withdrawal before filing the case, because they never intended to follow through with the lawsuit- tpits all a scam to fleece money from like-minded gamers.

 

[Mort]

So the date on the document is October 21, but it has been filed on December 10th... can someone comment on the significance of that?

Edit: Ninja'd but seems we agree!

One of 2 things.

1. The more likely:

Don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to incompetence. NuTSRs attorney probably used a prior dismissal notice as a template and forgot to change the date from the prior notice. I see this happen ALL the time.

2. The more cynical:

NuTSR (and their attorney) knew going in that this was just a stunt and prepared the order in advance in anticipation of it's filing - and forgot to change the date from when he prepared it.

That's pretty calculating for this bunch and means it was 100% grift. I'd like to think even they wouldn't stoop this low (plus, while it can't be proven, it's REALLY unethical)

 

[Umbran]

I say maybe because not all dismissals are equal. But if, for example, TSR(cubed) voluntarily dismissed, then no, they would likely not be liable for attorney's fees.

So... they file a lawsuit. Get crowdfunding cash. Dismiss lawsuit. Keep cash?

Or at least, that was their intent? Well, that's... not all that dumb, now is it?

Unfortunately, the money didn't materialize. Seeing that they weren't getting a ton of cash, and cut it off short?

 

[grimslade]

The lawsuit was dismissed before serious repercussions but still keeping the grift going on IndieGoGo. I anticipate a screed from TSR LLC North Carolina Division CEO Justinian Le Nassa to be released this weekend vowing to continue the fight in the 'appropriate venue' for maximum internet victories over the Wizards of the Woke. The owning has only begun if you would just donate a bit of bottle return change to this noble cause...
SO much like the lack of product from NuTSR, there is also a lack of litigation.
Also, Facebook is the devil. Treat it as if it were a digital pit viper with a toothache. A Corporation designed in Nessus and sent to our Prime.

 

[Mort]

So... they file a lawsuit. Get crowdfunding cash. Dismiss lawsuit. Keep cash?

Well, that's... not all that dumb, now is it?

Perhaps not. It does, however, show their true colors to anyone who cares to see them.

Which, sadly, doesn't mean they won't proffit from this (Lanasa seems to be counting on the fact that WoTC isn't mad enough to ruffle any fan feathers; and he's sadly right. At least so far.)