RPG Legalities: OGF/4eGSL/d20STLDiscussions about the Open Gaming Movement, the Open Gaming License, along with WotC's GSL. This is the new home of the OGF-L and d20-L listserver discussions.
Thanks to Scott, Linae and the team. Now I must read and digest all of this.
First question: when the GSL says "no referencing artwork", what do you mean by referencing? I can paint a dragonborn, but I can't paint a new picture of, say, the specific dragonborn in the Fighter entry?
5.5 Licensed Products. This License applies solely to Licensed Products as defined in Section 3 and to the specified uses set forth in Section 4. For the avoidance of doubt, and by way of example only, no Licensed Product will (a) include web sites, interactive products, miniatures, or character creators; (b) describe a process for creating a character or applying the effects of experience to a character; (c) use the terms “Core Rules” or “Core Rulebook” or variations thereof on its cover or title, in self-reference or in advertising or marketing thereof; (d) refer to any artwork, imagery or other depiction contained in a Core Rulebook; (e) reprint any material contained in a Core Rulebook except as explicitly provided in Section 4; or (f) be incorporated into another product that is itself not a Licensed Product (such as, by way of example only, a magazine or book compilation).
When does ENWorld get a cease & desist notice? <-- Ok, that's a bit too sarcastic, but still - the way I read this no one can sell PDF's because you sorta have to have a website in order to sell a PDF don't ya think?
Other limitations aside, this is a dangerously and uncomfortably broad brushstroke.
It's also personally disheartening. I am a programmer - it's what I do. While I understand WotC not wanting video games or full reference libraries online on the other hand banning out character generators and campaign management software is a bit much. Many of the plans I had for 4e are now officially dead and I will most likely be selling the books I got to a used book store at considerable loss because I don't want to own something I cannot use. Telling me I can't program is like telling Claudio he can't draw any illustrations for D&D - it robs me of something I enjoy doing in connection to the game.
Long live the OGL.
Last edited by Michael Morris; 18th June 2008 at 02:41 AM..
Hope you're ready for a million (or several) questions... and I hope this is a good spot to get them to you (since Klaus started it already... and he was reading my mind... really).
Regarding Section 6.1 OGL Conversion.
Here's my example situation: I've licensed Sword & Sorcery and products released for 3.X edition under the Sword & Sorcery banner by White Wolf. I'm going to release 4E versions of Creature Collection, Relics & Rituals and the Scarred Lands Campaign Setting through my company, Fiery Dragon Productions.
So... does White Wolf have to kill all of their 3.X Sword & Sorcery releases... or do they not fall under section 6.1 because they are not the licensee for the GSL in this case?
Thanks for your ongoing efforts, and I hope to impress you with some kick-butt 4E releases.
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Urizen -- you get a license to use the logo in promotional materials. So you can (by my reading) have the compatibility logo sitting next to your "Buy Now" button, just not on the cover of the PDF.
When does ENWorld get a cease & desist notice? <-- Ok, that's a bit too sarcastic, but still - the way I read this no one can sell PDF's because you sorta have to have a website in order to sell a PDF don't ya think?
Websites will be covered under the not-yet-released fansite policy, per the FAQ.
I am very disappointed that there is no viral content.
I can find nothing in the GSL which specifically limits GSL products to "fantasy". Would I be in violation if I created a "Gunslinger" class and added gunpowder weapons?
Section three says:
"Licensed Products. The license granted in Section 4 is for use solely in connection with Licensee’s publication, distribution, and sale of roleplaying games and roleplaying game supplements that contain the Licensed Materials and are published in a hardcover or soft-cover printed book format or in a single-download electronic book format (such as .pdf), and accessory products to the foregoing roleplaying games and roleplaying game supplements that are not otherwise listed as excluded in Section 5.5 (“Licensed Products”)."
Section 5.5 says:
"5.5 Licensed Products. This License applies solely to Licensed Products as defined in Section 3 and to the specified uses set forth in Section 4. For the avoidance of doubt, and by way of example only, no Licensed Product will (a) include web sites, interactive products, miniatures, or character creators; (b) describe a process for creating a character or applying the effects of experience to a character; (c) use the terms “Core Rules” or “Core Rulebook” or variations thereof on its cover or title, in self-reference or in advertising or marketing thereof; (d) refer to any artwork, imagery or other depiction contained in a Core Rulebook; (e) reprint any material contained in a Core Rulebook except as explicitly provided in Section 4; or (f) be incorporated into another product that is"
Nothing here seems to rule out modern, superhero, horror, or science fiction games, provided one is willing to make all new classes and races, create new feats, etc.
Can you ignore aspects of the templates -- for example, create a race which gains a bonus to no, or to 3, ability scores?
No specific demons or devils are listed; is this intentional? So no one can include a pit fiend or a succubus in an adventure?
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When does ENWorld get a cease & desist notice? <-- Ok, that's a bit too sarcastic, but still - the way I read this no one can sell PDF's because you sorta have to have a website in order to sell a PDF don't ya think?
ENWorld is not a licensee of Wizards (that I'm aware of). You don't NEED to license the game to discuss it.
That clause says that you CAN'T produce a GSL-licensed website. Not that you can't mention the game online without being a licensee.
People had this same misconception about the OGL- that online discussion of it needed to obey the license. How do you think people discuss games that aren't available for license at all?
You can sell PDFs, which are themselves licensed products, but your website which sells them isn't one.
ENWorld is not a licensee of Wizards (that I'm aware of). You don't NEED to license the game to discuss it.
.
However, how are things like the Druid class (currently on the front page) treated?
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Websites will be covered under the not-yet-released fansite policy, per the FAQ.
Little to no consolation there. I'm dead certain the fansite policy will prohibit any site that has any commercial component. Once sites hit a certain size though they must either charge a fee or die under the weight of their own bandwidth.
I am very disappointed that there is no viral content.
This worries me too. Looking through the GSL, I don't see any mechanism by which original content, created by a Licensee, can be reused by someone else writing a GSL product.
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To remain in compliance with the GSL, you may not
reproduce any running text, statistics block, or table from
the Core Rulebooks, nor may you define, redefine, or alter
the definition of any 4E Reference. Nothing in these
guidelines should be taken as contrary to these GSL
requirements.
I am not one for legalese but does this mean they are prohibiting you from modifying any named class in the SRD (like Cleric) or race (like elf). Meaning you have to use their elf and could not make your own. Later there is this passage:
Quote:
While you may not reproduce running text and tables from
the Core Rulebooks, you may create original material that
reflects the influence of rules and guidelines in the Core
Rulebooks.
For instance, you may create powers that resemble
those in D&D 4E Player’s Handbook.
This seems to indicate you could. If the first passage is to be taken as gospel, I must follow it with another questions: Can you simply delete? Can you create a setting where you say, "No Clerics" or must the entire SRD apply? I hope someone can help us with this.
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This worries me too. Looking through the GSL, I don't see any mechanism by which original content, created by a Licensee, can be reused by someone else writing a GSL product.
Its in section 10.2. You have to make separate arrangements with the 3rd Party IP holders.
I have a hunch that the only way you are going to get help is via an official FAQ (that's vetted by WotC legal) or through use of your own legal counsel.
Actually, the no viral content has a benefit now. It encourages publishers to create stuff and not worry about people ripping their products for free. I know a lot of people would defend that by saying "they knew about that when they agreed to the OGL license", but that was the only license available.
Then again, those that miss the "viral nature" might be able to encourage people to use their products by allowing others to reference their game products--I assume the other third party would have to agree to the GSL terms, but sharing the created content among companies seems possible with this license.
Now, let the publishers choose, don't force one way on them.
ETA--Yes, Section 10.2. Missed that. Good for WoTC.
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