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

 

[jdrakeh]

I can't tell if this is funny or just disturbing at this point.

Both, I think. Also, with a dash of sad.

 

[Willie the Duck]

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

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.

They complain about being bullied, and then complain that WotC is ignoring them. Why does this all seem like someone yelling "I demand you pay attention to me/take me seriously!" We've had this before with people trying to effectively declare themselves a big name in the industry, rather than put in the work to actually be a big name in the industry. It never works out, but does occasionally let them become kings of incredibly small fiefdoms of believers (true or otherwise).

 

[CleverNickName]

So. Apparently, money isn't looking so good for their new brand and they need to raise money fast.

1. Cry about alleged mistreatment on the Internet to stir up their fans, then...
2. Organize a crowdfunding program to milk those fans for "legal fees", but...
3. Set an unreasonably high goal for it, so that they can...
4. Pocket the money when the funding goal isn't reached.

Yep, that checks out. There are lots of ways to monetize nostalgia, and this is MUCH easier than creating products that people will want to buy.

 

[Myrdin Potter]

WoTC disclaimer says “may include” and then scolds themselves in the cases it is there. Does not say anything else, there is zero pointing at creators or the company other than a general statement.

 

[Scarlet.Knight]

I can't tell whether this is funny or sad at this point.

On the one hand I feel somewhat bad for people giving money to this shite but... on the other hand, maybe them getting fleeced might teach them a lesson and keep RPG communities safer.

I can't tell if this is funny or just disturbing at this point.

Definitely funnay

 

[Maxperson]

Thinking further on the Thank You Letter of Wonder, do they realize that in TSR "of wonder" means chaotically random to the point of being as likely to harm you as help you?

 

[Zaukrie]

Such a sad world. I doubt WotC cares about TSR anymore than anyone else trying to use their IP. Maybe less, since they don't actually publish anything.

 

[Umbran]

We've had this before with people trying to effectively declare themselves a big name in the industry, rather than put in the work to actually be a big name in the industry.

I mean, nuTSR hasn't actually published any D&D-compatible products yet, so.... yeah.

 

[darjr]

I know it’s not theirs anymore, the one product of TSRs that wasn’t either stolen IP, or dollar store dice, or a tiny game the owner had lying around, but did Giantlands ever ship?

 

[Orius]

WotC should simply ignore this as much as possible. Just use the legal team to fend off nuisance lawsuits. TSR has two main problems here: they haven't produced anything and there are serious doubts they will, and it's not even certain they have legal use of the TSR name. WotC doesn't have to do anything against them.

Ernie's making the huge mistake of thinking the entire old school crowd is also seething mad about wokism and is looking for a champion. Woke and old school really don't intersect; the old school crowd is more about rules systems than the current cultural zeitgeist. All he's doing is damaging a brand that once again hasn't produced anything and what fan base he does have doesn't have confidence he'll deliver.

I don't even want to get into LaNasa. Anyone who thinks judging female employees' worth for promotions by wrestling in grits is a good thing shows a complete lack of judgement. Ernie never should have partnered with that clown.