A Clarification on the two new GSLs

[Emerald Lich]

At what point *must* a publisher choose whether or not to use the GSL?

In other words, if a publisher creates OGL-compatible products, is there a fixed date by which the publisher must stop publishing those products in order to create GSL-compatible products?

Or is this merely triggered by the use of the GSL? (Meaning that once a publisher put out a GSL-compatible product, they can't go back to using the OGL.)

 

[FormerlyDickensC]

Is not congruent with this one:

one statement expresses a hope while the other expresses a perceived reality? therefore no incongruity. right?

 

[amethal]

At what point *must* a publisher choose whether or not to use the GSL?

In other words, if a publisher creates OGL-compatible products, is there a fixed date by which the publisher must stop publishing those products in order to create GSL-compatible products?

Or is this merely triggered by the use of the GSL? (Meaning that once a publisher put out a GSL-compatible product, they can't go back to using the OGL.)

I imagine the relevant date is the date you publish your updated 4th edition product using the GSL. From then on you can't keep selling your 3ed edition OGL version of that product.

There is speculation that you might not be able to publish any 3rd edition / OGL products at that point.

However, whilst we haven't seen the terms of the licence, it seems pretty clear to me that you can always go back to using the OGL, since it is a perpetual licence. Instead, WotC would no longer allow you to use the GSL and (again, depending on the terms of the GSL) might give you a grace period in which to stop selling GSL products.