Beholders, Mind Flayers, and Strahd von Zarovich Released Into Creative Commons (Kinda)

In the 5.1 SRD that just got released into the Creative Commons is a bunch of IP including Count Strahd von Zarovich, the Feywild, the Shadowfell, the City of Brass, Palace of Dispater, Street of Steel, Gate of Ashes, and the Sea of Fire. The beholder is also specifically referenced by name in the Deck of Illusions, and Mind Flayers and Slaad are also referenced--at least by name--repeatedly in the document.

Here's a link to the content released to CC.

WotC Backs Down: Original OGL To Be Left Untouched; Whole 5E Rules Released as Creative Commons

Hundreds of game publishers sigh in relief as, after extensive pressure exerted by the entire open gaming community, WotC has agreed to leave the original Open Gaming License untouched and put the whole of the 5E rules into Creative Commons. So, what's happened? The Open Gaming Licence v1.0a...

www.enworld.org

What does that mean? Under OGL v1.0a terms like this were generally designated as ‘Product Identity’ and were unavailable for use. The CC license has no such provision. This means that those using the OGL cannot (still) use terms designated as PI, but those using the CC can use the full content of the document released under it.

Only the names of these creatures and places are contained in the document--so you can't use Strahd's image or stat block or description, nor can you use those of the beholder, etc. But it does appear that you can refer to these items.

 

[RangerWickett]

I will not assume this will stick.

I mean, if a disgruntled employee at a tech company published a document saying the company releases all their patents to the public, the company probably could unwind that.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

As long as you're picking up $120 of A5e, what's another $50? >.>

Whatcha got?

 

[Arakhor]

They haven't released their patents, and essentially only names have been included.

 

[Steampunkette]

Whatcha got?

I'm not allowed to advertise outside the Level Up subforum. So go peek! You might even like what you see!

Or check my signature.

 

[ScYork]

Yuan-ti is named in the SRD as well as Aboleths

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Yuan-ti is named in the SRD as well as Aboleths

Aboleths have their full stat block in the SRD, don't they?

 

[wingsandsword]

I will not assume this will stick.

I mean, if a disgruntled employee at a tech company published a document saying the company releases all their patents to the public, the company probably could unwind that.

If they don't backpedal rapidly though, the argument that it was a bad faith contribution made by someone without authorization becomes much more indefensible.

It's been up for hours now, with the fact these things are in there being reported on across the web.

I'm sure that if this was a true "oops", they'd be pulling it down by now. . .or they're worried that pulling it down and striking those things from the record would do even more harm when this is meant to be a damage control action.

 

[ScYork]

Aboleths have their full stat block in the SRD, don't they?

Yup, I couldn't find yuan-ti stat blocks though

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Mod Note:

@MonsterEnvy Please stop manifesting your inner jerk. If you’re disengaging from another poster, do so without commenting. Your abrasive posting style is racking up reports, some justified.

@Steampunkette Please don’t “Junior Mod”- report others or don’t, but telling someone to leave a thread is not within your purview.

 

[THEMNGMNT]

Huh.