Quote:
Originally Posted by Carnivorous_Bean  Well, the current one can be changed or revoked at any time. Furthermore, whatever you have published under the current GSL cannot be published under any other system, ever. Basically, you're signing over the right to your intellectual property (IP).
So in other words, if you make up your own detailed Squidgeworld RPG and use the GSL to include 4th edition rules, and WotC later revokes the license, you cannot print Squidgeworld with a different ruleset. You have to ditch Squidgeworld totally and start all over, and you have to destroy all existing stock as well. |
It has been some time since I read the
GSL, but my understanding is that there is only one limitation with your IP under the
GSL: Don't use it with the
OGL. If you make up your own Squidgeworld 2d10+2d6 game system, fine. If you want to make a Shadowrun adaptation for it, fine. Publish either under the
OGL: BAD!
I think that might be the reason why Redbrick has announced it
4E/
GSL Earthdawn game - they know they would never use the
OGL for that game - either create a new game system whole cloth, the original Earthdawn system (with or without revision), or
4E. They don't need the
OGL for any of these scenarios.
There are other drawbacks, of course - the problem with having to update to a new edition, no grace periods or prior warnings to it, it makes life as a publisher a big hassle and can seriously impact sales. The d20 System License users got a warning that the license would run out and could still sell off existing stock, and rebrand all d20 System products (mostly the PDFs, I suppose) as
OGL. But the GLS has no such "failsafes"...
Ah well, others probably understand the intracities of the
GSL as it is now better then me...
And yet another word from our sponsors
