Quote:
Originally Posted by Sacrificial Lamb  Game mechanics for roleplaying games cannot be copyrighted. As long as you don't violate any of WoTC's trademarks, and write the game in your own words, you could theoretically create a 4e-ish game with or without using the OGL. |
*sighs*
I was using shorthand.
WotC does not own the ideas embodies in the rules. They do own the "rules as written" since the rules as written are a copyrighted work encapsulating a creative expression of said ideas.
Regardless, the point was
WotC can use the stuff they've developed in any way they choose because they originally developed the rules as written (Copyrighted Material). That is why they are not required to use the
OGL while everyone else is - everyone else using this material is required to get permission (either via the blanket
OGL or a separate agreement; either way everyone else has to play by the rules
WotC sets in whatever agreement they use).