D&D 5E OrcPub is Closing Down

[Rellott]

The creator of OrcPub and OrcPub2 is/was running a Kickstarter to fund a mobile app version of his OrcPub character builder. He recently posted an update saying he was shutting down not only the Kickstarter campaign, but also the original OrcPub and OrcPub2 character builders.
Source link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/971226433/orcpub-mobile/posts/1975496

In a comment on the update he says that he is doing it for legal reasons that, for legal reasons, he would rather not disclose. The assumed cause is that WotC sent him a cease and desist order. This makes sense given the recent opening of D&D Beyond and its character building functions.

If you have characters saved on his sites, make sure to get them exported to somewhere else soon!

 

[Morrus]

Huh. Was he using non-SRD content?

 

[Rellott]

To my understanding, he was providing the names of non-SRD material and features but no actual mechanics text. He lists the ability score bonuses for races, and action type and such for spells, but not the full description. He included references to the original source w/ page number to say "go look it up here." He also allowed the inclusion of homebrew elements so that someone could enter content for themselves that would not be accessible to others that they didn't specifically share their sheet with.

I supported OrcPub2 on Kickstarter and was pledged to help the mobile app, but I haven't used it extensively. I think it was a great tool for tabletop players, but the pbp site I frequent prefers a different sheet sharing location.

 

[akr71]

That blows, but not overly surprising. It was the character generator that I was hoping D&D Beyond would be.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Got to protect that IP - for the good of the hobby!

Ah well, I'm thankful for his efforts. A shame but that's the pond he was swimming in.

 

[SuperTD]

He was definitely including non SRD content, just rephrasing it slightly. While he didn't include text from non core books, every subclass was available and so were all the feats. This was always going to happen, especially since he was making money off of the kickstarter. WotC were completely justified as much as this sucks.

 

[Myrdin Potter]

He certainly was using non-SRD material and advertising it and making money off of it. His target market was people that wanted things for free, which is a bad business plan. Possible that he reworded things well enough that he avoided copyright issues, but unless he had the cash and willingness to fight it in court, a cease and desist letter was bound to come.

I fully expected this, as the whole usefulness of the site was the non-SRD material and he did not have a license or permission from WoTC to use it.

 

[Warpiglet]

It sucks but it is why I would never use a pirated copy of anything D&D without paying for the content. We DO want the game to continue. No sales, no other releases, less support, etc. etc. etc.

It is frustrating thought when someone tries to fill a void and meet a need that WOTC has ignored, of course.

 

[manduck]

I can't say I'm surprised, though I am disappointed. He was using non-SRD content without a licensing agreement or anything like that. With Beyond out there, it was just a matter of time before he was shut down. Really though, it was a solid product and WOTC probably should have hired him and his team to do Beyond. Trying to make money on a product that uses someone else's IP will get you that cease and desist though.

 

[Morrus]

He did great work. I wish he'd do one for my game!