In the past year or so, nearly a thousand folks have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements with Wizards of the Coast in order to playtest or otherwise gain early access to the 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules (or portions thereof).
With the release of the game imminent, we felt it appropriate to answer a few of the most common questions about this NDA.
Q: Now that 4th Edition is on sale, can I confirm that I was a playtester and/or had early access to the rules?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I talk about my playtest experiences, or about the playtest versions of the rules?
A: No. That information is still considered confidential and may not be discussed, shared, or distributed in any way.
Q: Now that 4th Edition is on sale, is my NDA void?
A: Absolutely not. Your Non-Disclosure Agreement with Wizards of the Coast still obligates you to "keep strictly confidential all Confidential information" in your possession.
Q: But how is 4th Edition still considered confidential?
A: Once a product is published, the information presented in that product is no longer confidential. However, all prior versions of the rules (as well as playtest instructions and all other correspondence between you and Wizards of the Coast, Inc. regarding your playtest experiences) is still considered confidential.
Q: Does my NDA only cover 4th Edition D&D?
A: Not necessarily. It covers all confidential information from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. disclosed to you in the course of that agreement. When in doubt as to whether information should be considered confidential, contact an attorney.
Q: If I see someone else sharing information that I think is confidential, does that mean it's acceptable for me to share confidential information too?
A: No. Every circumstance is different, and by sharing information you were provided under your NDA, you may open yourself up to legal liability.
Q: Is it acceptable to post or download an electronic version of the 4th Edition rulebook? After all, the information’s public now, right?
A: No, but not because of your NDA. Illegally posting or downloading this information is a violation of copyright and intellectual property rights, not a confidentiality issue.
