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'.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

2 years. That mouse has 2 years left lol.

we shall see... if it is let in (and maybe it will) the number of things that follow will make me sqee with joy)

 

[Matt Thomason]

2 years is plenty of time to review copyright law.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to negotiate bribes to senators? Do you?

 

[Reynard]

I think (and I may be wrong) the theft is by locking it down as if it was there IP... they are stealing it FROM the public domain.

I'm not sure I agree. I think I can put out pnicho or Cinderella stuff if I want... it just has to side more towards brothers grim and less disney.

A quick perusal of the children's video section on Netflix or Prime will show you that there are many, many non-Disney iterations of these fairy tales. It's not a reasonable statement that they are being "stolen" from the public domain.

 

[Haplo781]

ah, separate topic, yes, I want clarify on whether I can take any 1.0a content and use it under 1.2. I would expect to, given 1.0a's section 9 "You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License."

Not a lawyer, but it seems so.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Slightly less successful is still wildly successful

yeah, I always laugh (even some of my bosses do it) "But it didn't hit this huge metric" and I have to constantly say "Even coming in last at the Olympics means you are one of the best in the world... if we are making tons of money smile and except success"

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I don't think you could get the SPLC to agree to do so, and you certainly shouldn't put that in the contract (especially not without their approval).

correct, you would need them to agree... I wasn't suggesting blind sideing them. If they turn down the ability to help insure that it is used fairly and not as a weapon I would be suprised though (again though I am willing to listen if someone has something I don't know about them)

I don't like putting specific third party organizations into the contract for the simple reason that those organizations can change or go away. At the least you need a way to change the organization, but this isn't something you want WOTC to be able to change at any time for any reason.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

again I am going to add to the survvey that a way to appeal is needed...

ah, i didn't see that. my bad there.

 

[Haplo781]

Do you have any idea how long it takes to negotiate bribes to senators? Do you?

Senators are cheap mate. Not even a line item in a Marvel film's promotional budget.

 

[Matt Thomason]

ah, separate topic, yes, I want clarify on whether I can take any 1.0a content and use it under 1.2. I would expect to, given 1.0a's section 9 "You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License."

Indeed. Except that you need an agreement with the entity licensing you that content, and 1.2 specifically (from the text at the very beginning) is only between you and WotC, and does not provide a way to add that entity to a S15 Hence the quandry. I suppose you could feasibly change the WotC reference in the 1.2 license and put in a seperate copy for each and every work you're reusing, but... ugh! Messy, and looks like it would need more than simply changing the WotC bit due to how it mentions SRDs.

For all intents and purposes, 1.2 is not really a later version of 1.0a for 1.0as that come from 3PPs.

 

[rcade]

2 years is plenty of time to review copyright law.

The Mickey Mouse who appears in Steamboat Willie enters the public domain in one year (Jan. 1, 2024).

Mickey’s Copyright Adventure: Early Disney Creation Will Soon Be Public Property

The version of the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” will enter the public domain in 2024. But those trying to take advantage could end up in a legal mousetrap.

www.nytimes.com

I wouldn't bet on Disney getting the copyright term extended again, given what happened to the Reidy Creek Improvement District at Disney World.