Changing things in the Modern SRD

[ST Ray]

I am not sure if this goes here, but maybe someone can help. I am working on a Superhero adventure/campaign setting using the Modern SRD and there are several terms that I do not like. Can I change them to suit what would fit my adventure/setting, or is that not possible even though the sections that I want to change are Open Game content?

I looked at the OGL and I did not see this anywhere in it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Henry]

Are you going to publish this work for profit? If so, you would be best advised consulting a copyright lawyer, because it would be a tragic waste to invest all your time and effort into making a sellable product only to have WotC send you a Cease and Desist order.

I'm not a lawyer, but what I can tell you from what I've seen in other products is that a LOT of things can be changed, if you still want to be able to put the "d20" trademark on your product, but among the things you can't change under the d20 STL are the six ability scores, and the way experience and levelling is applied to a character (in fact, you can't even MENTION the latter). Under the OGL license, you cannot put the "d20" trademark on the product, but you can use ANY of the System Reference Document you wish, as little or as much as you want. You STILL in all cases have to put a PROPERLY written copy of the Open Gaming License in the product, crediting the section 15 in a proper fashion. the documentation at www.wizards.com/d20 will have more info, including the things that CANNOT change. EVERYBODY who makes a d20 or OGL product should read and understand every word of those two licenses before publishing anything.

Also, I'll move this to the d20 Publishers forum, because someone there may have even more accurate information for you.

Good luck!

 

[Razuur]

Also, under OGL, you can *change* anything you want.

Take a look at Mongoose's OGL line. They did just that - made changes to the Modern SRD t fit their genre.

Razuur

 

[Voadam]

I am not sure if this goes here, but maybe someone can help. I am working on a Superhero adventure/campaign setting using the Modern SRD and there are several terms that I do not like. Can I change them to suit what would fit my adventure/setting, or is that not possible even though the sections that I want to change are Open Game content?

I looked at the OGL and I did not see this anywhere in it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There are not alteration restrictions in the OGL except for copying the license and updating the copyright notice for section 15 compliance.

Under the d20 license (if you want to put the trademarked d20 logo on your product) then there are certain restrictions on altering certain game mechanic terms in the product that bears that logo. See the d20 trademark license at WotC's site.

 

[ST Ray]

Are you going to publish this work for profit? If so, you would be best advised consulting a copyright lawyer, because it would be a tragic waste to invest all your time and effort into making a sellable product only to have WotC send you a Cease and Desist order.

I'm not a lawyer, but what I can tell you from what I've seen in other products is that a LOT of things can be changed, if you still want to be able to put the "d20" trademark on your product, but among the things you can't change under the d20 STL are the six ability scores, and the way experience and levelling is applied to a character (in fact, you can't even MENTION the latter). Under the OGL license, you cannot put the "d20" trademark on the product, but you can use ANY of the System Reference Document you wish, as little or as much as you want. You STILL in all cases have to put a PROPERLY written copy of the Open Gaming License in the product, crediting the section 15 in a proper fashion. the documentation at www.wizards.com/d20 will have more info, including the things that CANNOT change. EVERYBODY who makes a d20 or OGL product should read and understand every word of those two licenses before publishing anything.

Also, I'll move this to the d20 Publishers forum, because someone there may have even more accurate information for you.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info, I have downloaded the Modern SRD and I will check out Mongoose's site as well.

I will keep you updated as to my progress.

Also Henry, I live in NC as well. Where in NC do you live?

 

[Henry]

Actually, I live in South Carolina, but I am massively promoting the ENWorld North Carolina Gameday that's happening this May the 8th at NCSU. If you can make it, we'd love to see you there. There are going to be Games of D&D, d20 Modern, and several other game systems, as well as board gaming, video gaming, and just generally hanging out and goofing off together all day. It's held in conjunction with Trinocon, and GAMER.

Try to make it if you can! And if you can, click that link in my .sig to sign up!