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I was excited when I saw the 3D interface. It was the only thing that stood out from the other tools, and it was so cool I was actually considering online play (which otherwise I hate). When the 2D interface came out, it was disappointing. I tried it once just to help WotC but was so...

Trevor Kidd Responds FYI, Trevor Kidd has responded to my article. If you're interested, please go here. I imagine that this won't be the last we hear from WotC on this, but for now, it's our only official response.

I don't know. That wasn't bad. :)

Yes. How much of a burden, I'm not sure, but WotC is telling you to do your homework. Make sure that everyone around the table. I repeat, though, that I don't expect any lawsuits over OPTA. Because by restricting venue to in-person games, you're bound to make sure you're playing with "legal"...

For some reason, I'm not permitted to edit my posts. Please forgive any typos. My laptop keyboard occasionally misses my keystrokes, as I type very quickly.

Yes, I read their FAQ, and my first draft of the article discussed it. I removed it because a FAQ can't override an enforceable contract. Reliance on it is often misguided unless the contract is unenforceable. However, it's certainly relevant to someone coming from my point of view. Let's assume...

Thanks for your comments and questions about my article. I want to clear up a few things. First, the point of this article isn't the unenforceability of the agreement. The point of this article is trying to understand what WotC wants of you whether it's enforceable or not. However, on the...

Misinformation and Misunderstanding I'm not your typical attorney, and one of the ways in which I stand out is that I do have a healthy sense of humor, so much so that some people can't handle it. I didn't read your Kickstarter comments (unless they were reproduced in the Facebook thread), but...

Although I wrote the 4e section, this wasn't my idea. For the most part, I'm just organizing it.

Some Thoughts on My Dungeon Crawl System Thank you for your kind words, Quickleaf, but I must respectfully disagree with your statement that we should take "some of the changes with a grain of salt." They should all be taken with a grain of salt. :) Personal preference is always a factor in how...

The Gamers' Syndicate's Brief Tour of the History of D&D will be on June 30, at Dream Wizards in Rockville, MD. Play one adventure in four parts, each played under a different edition of Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D, 2e, 3.5e, and 4e). If you'd like to run the adventure at your local store or...

Still, the fact that someone suggested the author do that seems very reckless. I understand wanting to help someone's cause, but not without doing some serious research and consulting a neutral expert on the subject. Sometimes, people amaze me.

You're Asking the Wrong Question, but It's a Good One Your questions are asking whether or not there's infringement in the first place, but the author is conceding there is as soon as he appeals to the affirmative defense of fair use. However, this post will answer your questions...

Copyright Experts Are Everywhere I haven't read the work itself, and that makes commenting on it uncertain. However, I've read the description of the product, and I've read many posts by the author. The author has many misconceptions as to how copyright (and trademark) work, and I've been told...

My Perspective I played D&D from 1977 to 1981 (AD&D), then returned to the game 24 years later (2005) for the tail end of 3e. The only D&D in between was a brief fling with the Eye of the Beholder I PC video game, which is where I was introduced to the Forgotten Realms. I love the Realms and...

Again I refer everyone to my article series on Loremaster.org called Protection from Chaos. Read the "IP Primer" and "To GSL or Not to GSLLC." In short, neither rules nor ironic names can be protected through copyright, and the OGL (and especially the GSL) are more about maintaining game...

I'm a 23rd-level attorney. While imperfect, the general rule is, "Fluff is protectable, and crunch is not." Every case turns on its own facts, though, so either consult an attorney or steer clear of controversy.

Trolling When you say: (emphasis in original, presumably denoting sarcasm), are you referring to the post in which I say: I ask because you seem to be referring to that post, yet getting the exact opposite meaning from its plain language. I say that I want to encourage the thread to evolve...

Not a problem. My other articles in the series demonstrate that I agree. "Not safe" is a very important concern, and everyone should be very careful when claiming, for example, it's okay to be screwing around with protected content because it's a "fair use." I don't think people should be trying...

I also didn't mention that murder is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia (§ 18.2-30), Virginia recognizes tenants by the entirety for ownership of real property (§ 55-20.2), and anyone under the age of 18 that will be 18 by voting day is permitted to register to vote early (§ 24.2-403). I'm...