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[El Mahdi]

Originally Posted by Morrus

A behavioural trait often displayed by children; most people grow out of it by the time they reach adulthood, but some never shake it.

Originally Posted by Delta

Perhaps you should address that to the person or company who wrote this:

Q: Is there an ethical reason to support Open Gaming?

A: In this writer's opinion, yes there is. It has been an established feature of RPGs since their inception that they should be used to create new content. Prior to the advent of widespread Open Game licenses, there was no practical way for that kind of material to be legally and widely distributed.

Open Gaming is recognition that your natural human right to free speech is protected and enhanced. The Open Game system is a way for the game publishing industry to finally deliver on the basic promises made by the very first RPGs; that individuals should be free to copy, modify and distribute their own creative works derived from the game systems they have acquired.

How are these mutually exclusive? Morrus was speaking about entitlement, your quote is talking about ethics and freedom of speech, both of which are things that are not mutually exclusive. Without getting into politics, US Constitutional Law and Copyright Law aren't contradicting eachother. Open Gaming is a good thing, good for the game, good for publishers, and good for the IP holder. But just as "Free Speech" doesn't mean you can say whatever you want, whenever you want - placing restrictions on the use of an IP or Brand Name, in order to protect the quality and integrity of said IP or Brand, is not unreasonable.

"...that individuals should be free to copy, modify and distribute their own creative works derived from the game systems they have acquired." - I believe this is exactly what WoTC is attempting to do for 4E (and will forever be allowed to do with 3E - that hasn't, isn't, and won't change), but they do also have a right, and responsibility (to shareholders) to protect their IP from errosion of quality and standards (especially moral standards). It's a sad fact, but there are some who won't adhere to common decency and behavior unless there are rules in place to make them. I'm sure Scott and WoTC will get the troublesome business aspects of the GSL ironed out, and (most) 3pp will be satisfied and content with it. They are business people also, and I'm sure they understand why and what WoTC is doing.

And just to be clear, the GSL is not the OGL. WoTC was under absolutely no obligation to release 4E under the Open Gaming concept. If they had, I'd be saying that's cool - but that doesn't mean that WoTC has done anything wrong or unethical by not doing this. It is completely their right and perogative, also granted and protected by Law, the same as Free Speech.



As to Morrus's quote - OUCH!

Too true, but OUCH!