LaNasa - Playing with the OSR Since at Least October, 2020

For those that think the current TSR drama is something new, I picked this gem from The Tavern vaults (original post here from October 17th, 2020)

Notice that LaNasa never answers the question about whether or not the museum is a Not-For-Profit. He does say that the donation idea is a "very good idea". 

Very good idea,Anyone can pay money to game anywhere and everyone does to some extent.The whole purpose here is to allow DMS to make money for their skills.Conventions pay nothing and at most gives out free rooms an snacks. We are different and secondly we are the original TSR dungeon hobby shop location The only one in the whole world. To game in Gary’s very office is a bucket list item to some. But if you can’t afford it like old Tenkar you might want to befriend a old TSR employee so you can game free !

He lets the reader draw their own conclusions, much like he's doing with TSR right now. He throws out just enough that the reader unwittingly fills in the blanks.

Then, he accuses me of editing his comment. 

I just had the Tenkar edit my response what a joke he is. I said if you can’t afford gaming at the DHS like Tenkar obviously can’t . You might want to make a TSR employee as friend to get you into the game for free!!

Blogger does not give that option to site owners, but I could delete his comments. Obviously, I did neither. But the accusation is important along with the mocking of yours truly because it's simply a distraction from the question being asked: Is the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum a not-for-profit?

I ask the question yet again. His response is pure classic LaNasa (as we've recently seen on social media as TSR and/or Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum):

It’s ok Tenkar keep throwing stones. It really shows how jealous you really are it’s ok keep it up very becoming of you. Do you know how many people can’t stand to listen to you anymore.Your ship is sinking and I understand now it’s you screaming for help.

Avoidance. Distraction. Insults. But never answers. It's literally LaNasa's Method of Operation. I'm not making it up. Ignore the insults, the labels, and the dismissiveness he has shown to the gaming community over the past two weeks and look for what's missing. Answers. Simply Answers. Justin has none, so he throws up some flack to rile people up and fight amongst themselves and they forget what they were there for initially.

Answers. Simply. Answers.

The Emperor has no clothes. That is the simple answer.

The arguing back on forth on whether or not TSR is toxic is a distraction from the simple fact that TSR has nothing to offer but rebranded Dollar Tree Dice, empty promises, and abandoned TMs

Note: Rezoning of the Museum's location is on the agenda for the Lake Geneva City council at 6 PM CDT. You can view the meeting virtually:

CITY OF LAKE GENEVA REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 6:00 P.M.

LAKE GENEVA CITY HALL; COUNCIL CHAMBERS (MAIN LEVEL)

Members:

Mayor Charlene Klein, Council President, Rich Hedlund, Council Vice President, John Halverson, 

Alderpersons: Tim Dunn, Mary Jo Fesenmaier, Cindy Flower, Ken Howell, Shari Straube, and Joan Yunker

CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING ALL MEETINGS. THE CITY OF LAKE GENEVA IS HOLDING 

ALL MEETINGS VIRTUALLY AS WELL AS IN PERSON. IF YOU WISH TO LISTEN OR WATCH THE MEETING YOU 

MAY DO SO BY USING THE FOLLOWING:

1. Links to the City of Lake Geneva’s live video stream can be found at www.cityoflakegeneva.com/video

2. Television: Watch live broadcast of the meeting on Spectrum Cable Channel 25

3. Listen to audio via phone: (602) 333-2017 (Long distance rates may apply) (888) 204-5987 (Toll Free) Access Code: 9746153

Armchair Legal Aid

 

A couple of days ago I had the dubious pleasure of watching one of Erik's initial YouTube livestreams and he was mentioning this whole Trademark issue with TSR and the Dungeon Hobby Shop. Since then I've seen some finger-pointing, name calling (well, kind of), and even a little bit of dick measuring.

Now 1st and foremost..... I am NOT a lawyer.

I do however, have degrees in Business, Information Management, and even Library Science. I know....who cares, but if you're reading this you're either looking for flaws to point out (I have many) or you're willing to give me the benefit of the doubt....either way you're still reading, right? In all three of those degrees I've had to take classes in legal issues concerning copyright and trademarks.

Now I'm not going to put myself up as an expert, much less try and train you, dear reader, up on the finer points of these issues, BUT I will take this soapbox opportunity to make a few pertinent points and I'll post appropriate links so you can actually read the important stuff on your freaking own......just think of this blog post as a guided tour.

1st of, what the fuck (we have established I can post swears, right?) is a trademark? If you're up for it, here's a short booklet from the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). Not into reading, well tough shit....this is a blog post. A trademark is "generally a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others."

Ok, I'll throw you a bone...here's a video from the USPTO that covers this info:

2nd...and how does this apply to the BS going on right now?

There are several trademarks at issue in this case and they can be looked up here, yet again at the USPTO. For the sake of this "conversation" I'm only going to reference one of the several in question out of the 76 trademarks for "TSR". This one in question, which I'm using as an example, is serial #90124839. Here's a screenshot (click to embiggen):

Now this particular trademark application was made on August 19, 2020 and covers the use of the trademark "TSR THE GAME WIZARDS" for eight specific uses, all of which are gaming related. If you poke around the database a bit you'll undoubtedly come across the "Dead" trademark of serial #73351412, which was an actual awarded trademark #1241135. The one above is just an application for the trademark, it hasn't been awarded yet.

Obligatory screenshot:

You can clearly see that both of these are essentially the same trademark, although the application in progress is planning on being used for more purposes, but still the same two main classes (IC 016 and IC 028).

Clearly the trademark owned by TSR, "died" on November 20, 1989, so this new trademark application is good-to-go, right? What seems to be the problem?

Oh boy.....this is really the meat of the matter. Did you read the pamphlet? No, no you didn't. Of course you didn't. I don't blame you. Go ahead....download it now and give it a once-over. This post isn't going anywhere......

You didn't once over it, did you? You clicked on it and went "36 pages! I'm not doing any effing homework on a Sunday! Screw that!" It's ok, I forgive you, but since you clearly have the booklet, go over to page 13 and look at the sub-section "Is federal registration of my mark required?":

"No. In the United States, parties are not required to register their marks to obtain protectable rights. You can establish “common law” rights in a mark based solely on use of the mark in commerce, without a registration." 

So basically you don't have to have a (registered) trademark. Having one basically expands upon your rights and makes certain things easier......but you don't have to actually register your trademark. 

Again, I'm not a lawyer, but (and feel free to disagree with me, plenty will) if TSR actually registered a trademark, and then used it.....the use would establish "common law", then that trademark is a real thing. A real thing that followed TSR to WotC and then to Hasbro. Sure, the registration died in 1989, but the "common law" rights to that "thing" did not expire....and is still in use by Hasbro when they sell stuff branded with that "thing". Part of me says this is just common sense, but a) common sense isn't that common, and b) it's easy for me to come to that conclusion with my particular education/background. I can easily see someone else without that "common sense" just see a "dead" trademark registration and think it's fair game.

In ANY case.....what's going on now with serial #90124839 is just a registration application. Think of it like you registering for your license to drive. You've paid your $50 and taken your test, but you don't know if you've passed and the DMV hasn't given you your license yet. It's a little premature to be out on the road driving, much less selling your ride off as an Uber.....

By my quick math just the filing of this particular application was $450. Multiply that by however many applications there were (IIRC it was five, but I'll be honest in that I'm not searching through all 76 "TSR" entries to make a point) and you've easily got a couple grand, not including any attorney costs. That's a lot of dough for essentially adding your trademark to a federal list that you don't actually have to do in the first place! The USPTO basically maintains the list...they don't do much else. If you've still got that booklet open....and I know you don't, here's a list of stuff they don't do (from page 14):

• Decide whether you have the right to use a mark (which differs from the right to register). No law requires that you federally register your mark in order to acquire rights in the mark;
• Enforce your rights in the mark or bring legal action against a potential infringer;
• Conduct trademark searches for the public;
• Comment on the validity of registered marks;
• Assist you with policing your mark against infringers;
• Assist you with recordation of your mark with U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
• Answer questions prior to filing on whether a particular mark or type of mark is eligible for trademark registration; or
• Offer legal advice or opinions about common law trademark rights, state registrations, or trademark infringement claims. 

So the point a few of us have been trying to make is...well, why apply for someone else's trademark? The counter-argument is that these are "dead" trademarks.....but are they really? You don't have to have a trademark application to have a trademark as there are some "common law" protections. Since Hasbro still sells products with these trademarks, are they really dead?

Now I've dumped a lot of words in a blog post that may or may not have helped someone. If you've read the brochure, watched the video, and think you've got a grasp on the issue at hand, here's some advanced topics/information.

1st, a longer video with some good stuff:

2nd, what about the trademark for Gygax magazine? According to the USPTO "The USPTO will also refuse registration of a proposed mark for many other reasons, including if the mark is a surname"

3rd, how much of any of this matters if you get the courts and lawyers involved? If you don't want to watch the whole 41'47" video from above, check out the 16" from this start point....

Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum - Membership Rates and Pay-To-Play Game Table Pricing

So, Justin LaNassa, the main individual apparently behind the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum and the one attempting to license the iconic TSR trademark images to third parties, has had some choice words to say about my prior observations and speculations over on Facebook:

As such, I am leaving the observations, speculation, and comments for the pricing scheme of the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum to my readers. I will, however, share screenshots of said pricing schemes for your convenience.

Admission & Membership:

Pay-to-Play Game Table Pricing:

Remember, I am just delivering pure facts here. Your comments are appreciated as always :) Tenkar