WotC Unveils Draft of New Open Gaming License

As promised earlier this week, WotC has posted the draft OGL v.1.2 license for the community to see.

A survey will be going live tomorrow for feedback.

Starting the OGL ‘Playtest’

In this article, you can review a draft of OGL 1.2, submit feedback via survey, and learn about a Creative Commons license that puts D&D's core mech...

www.dndbeyond.com

The current iteration contains clauses which prohibit offensive content, applies only to TTRPG books and PDFs, no right of ownership going to WotC, and an optional creator content badge for your products.

One important element, the ability for WotC to change the license at-will has also been addressed, allowing the only two specific changes they can make -- how you cite WotC in your work, and contact details.

This license will be irrevocable.

The OGL v1.0a is still being 'de-authorized'.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

They're still "de-authorizing" the OGL 1.0a and still lying about it being necessary to fight discrimination.

That's not a lie. That's just their truth that people don't want to hear.

They don't want to have their brand (the non-CC parts) in any way associated with certain types of content going forward. I think people can justifiably argue that this isn't an open license, but I'm reasonably certain this this might be Hasbro's red line- it was never really about the royalties, and it was never really about the license back (which was likely overzealous drafting), but they weren't lying about this.

You can dislike this, or disagree with it. But they've been consistent that this is a part of it.

 

[Greggy C]

They're still "de-authorizing" the OGL 1.0a and still lying about it being necessary to fight discrimination.

Whats your point though, you had plans to release new material under OGL 1.0a ? Old material is fine.

Not sure why people think they deserve to release new material under an old license.

 

[jerryrice4949]

Let’s face it for the majority of people on this forum nothing short of nothing will change. all will be the same forever is going to be ok. Not sure how fair that is though. Times change and 20 years is a long time. Much of the rest of the world has shifted dramatically in two decades. Perhaps adjustments aren’t a bad thing.

 

[Sacrosanct]

They're still "de-authorizing" the OGL 1.0a and still lying about it being necessary to fight discrimination.

Question (not just to you, but anyone who thinks this). If there are no changes in the new OGL except this part (and the contact part), then how is it a lie? What other reason is there to have a new OGL if this is the only change and it's a lie?

 

[Nikosandros]

Is this the 5.1 SRD they reference?

https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf

Yes.

 

[Scribe]

Nothing will impact any content you have already published under OGL 1.0a. That will always be licensed under OGL 1.0a. Your stuff is your stuff.

• Deauthorizing OGL 1.0a. We know this is a big concern. The Creative Commons license and the open terms of 1.2 are intended to help with that. One key reason why we have to deauthorize: We can't use the protective options in 1.2 if someone can just choose to publish harmful, discriminatory, or illegal content under 1.0a. And again, any content you have already published under OGL 1.0a will still always be licensed under OGL 1.0a.

So...pre-existing stuff is fine, but no new 1.0??

Is that right?

Essentially. Keep selling PF1/LevelUp/OSR stuff, but...nothing new?

 

[overgeeked]

Is this the 5.1 SRD they reference?

https://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf

https://www.dndbeyond.com/attachments/39j2li89/OGL1.2_DraftForDiscussionPurpose.pdf

 

[eyeheartawk]

Question (not just to you, but anyone who thinks this). If there are no changes in the new OGL except this part (and the contact part), then how is it a lie? What other reason is there to have a new OGL if this is the only change and it's a lie?

Easiest answer?

To save face.

 

[Myrdin Potter]

First glance, what they cannot actually copyright they are issuing under Creative Commons. Then they make dubious and overreaching claims on things that they probably cannot copyright and are sweeping into OGL 1.2 which has various poison pills. And they are deauhtorizing 1.0a.

Nope.

 

[Haplo781]

The mechanics are, yes.

D&D-y things like owlbears will be OGL 1.2.

And they're officially deauthorizing OGL 1.0a.

Owlbears were open content previously, so they're trying to claw back IP. Any bloating about "protecting the brand from hateful content" is just a smokescreen.