3.x OGL and Distributing

[malcolm_n]

I've wondered something for a while and finally feel like it's worth asking. If I've read correctly, the OGL states that mechanics (races, classes, feats, etc) can be reproduced in whole or in part so long as the Fluff of the settings (or the core books) is not.

1) Is this right?
2) Does this mean I could post the entirety of the Swashbuckler class from Complete Warrior as long as I don't include the flavor text?
3) What is able to be copied and freely distributed from the books based on the OGL?

 

[DaveMage]

I've wondered something for a while and finally feel like it's worth asking. If I've read correctly, the OGL states that mechanics (races, classes, feats, etc) can be reproduced in whole or in part so long as the Fluff of the settings (or the core books) is not.

1) Is this right?
2) Does this mean I could post the entirety of the Swashbuckler class from Complete Warrior as long as I don't include the flavor text?
3) What is able to be copied and freely distributed from the books based on the OGL?

1) No. Only content designated as open content in a book with the Open Gaming License inside contains open content.
2) No. See above.
3) Only content designated as open content in a book with the Open Gaming License can be distributed in the manner defined by the OGL.

 

[malcolm_n]

but what is defined, then, as open content? I'll read it again to try and clarify for myself; but what part of the Complete, races of, or other splat books are open content?

 

[Av3rnus]

but what is defined, then, as open content? I'll read it again to try and clarify for myself; but what part of the Complete, races of, or other splat books are open content?

I don't recall how open content is designated, but I'm pretty sure that most WotC books do not contain open content, and that the "Complete" and "Races of" books are right out.

I'd wager that if it appears on http://www.d20srd.org/, then it's open content. Otherwise, it probably isn't.

 

[sukael]

I don't recall how open content is designated, but I'm pretty sure that most WotC books do not contain open content, and that the "Complete" and "Races of" books are right out.

I'd wager that if it appears on http://www.d20srd.org/, then it's open content. Otherwise, it probably isn't.

The only Wizards D&D books with any open content are two monsters in the very back of Monster Manual II, and Unearthed Arcana.

The System Reference Document is open content, but isn't directly linked to the core books, the Expanded Psionics Handbook, or the Epic Level Handbook in any way (despite generally duplicating their content).

 

[WhatGravitas]

but what is defined, then, as open content? I'll read it again to try and clarify for myself; but what part of the Complete, races of, or other splat books are open content?

The WotC books, with the exception of Unearthed Arcana, are all closed (IIRC, even the core books - which is why the SRD exists - because the SRD IS open).

Cheers, LT.

 

[Nadaka]

The WotC books, with the exception of Unearthed Arcana, are all closed (IIRC, even the core books - which is why the SRD exists - because the SRD IS open).

Cheers, LT.

I would point out that the entirety of unearthed arcana is OGL, it says so on the licence on the very first page.

 

[Voadam]

I would point out that the entirety of unearthed arcana is OGL, it says so on the licence on the very first page.

Read it again. While most of it is OGC released under the OGL there are parts that are not open.

 

[Morrus]

You may freely distribute anything designated by WotC as Open Gaming Content. This, for practical purposes, means the stuff they have put in the System Reference Document. Many people are already distributing this material, including Mongoose Publishing's Pocket PHB, http://www.d20srd.org/, and others.

So: if it's in the SRD, you can do what you like with it. If it's not, you can't.

The SRD contains most of the core rules, monsters, feats, skills, spells, magic items, etc. It does NOT include character generation or advancement (e.g. XP tables, definition of how to apply XP, what is required to advance a level, etc.)

 

[malcolm_n]

Thank you all for the input.