GSL and SRD questions

[invokethehojo]

After reading the GSL and SRD I have some questions. I’ve been away from EnWorld for awhile so forgive me if these have already been asked/answered.

To quote:

Adding Original Material
Per Section 4.1 of the GSL, you can add functions to 4E References as long as, in doing so, you don’t redefine that 4E Reference. For example, simply adding a use for the
Athletics skill doesn’t redefine the whole skill, so you could create such a new use.

Applied Mechanical Results
For example, you may not reprint the statistics of a kobold wyrmpriest or the lich
template in a Licensed Product, nor may you define these 4E References. You may, however, print a kobold wyrmpriest lich that you create and that is relevant to your
Licensed Product.
You might also print the specific attack bonus and damage for an NPC’s paladin power, even though you cannot reprint the power text from the D&D 4E Player’s Handbook.

Create new kinds of elves, humans? Just reference racial abilities?

So my questions are these:

1. From the applied mechanical results section, is it saying that as long as you add a template to a monster you are allowed to reprint the stat block?
2. Am I allowed to create new versions of elves, goblins and other such creatures, or is that not allowed by the ‘redefining’ issue.
3. If yes then, when I create my own elves, goblins or other such race can I reprint the racial power or just reference it?
4. If I make my own elves, goblins or other such race can I give them a different racial ability of my own creation in place of theirs or is that ‘redefining’ them?
5. Can I give an original creation monster an ability that is the same as the orc’s “warriors surge” but with a different name? How original do original creations, at least in terms of monster powers, have to be to get around the ‘redefining’ issue?

 

[deadsmurf]

After reading the GSL and SRD I have some questions. I’ve been away from EnWorld for awhile so forgive me if these have already been asked/answered.

To quote:

Adding Original Material
Per Section 4.1 of the GSL, you can add functions to 4E References as long as, in doing so, you don’t redefine that 4E Reference. For example, simply adding a use for the
Athletics skill doesn’t redefine the whole skill, so you could create such a new use.

Applied Mechanical Results
For example, you may not reprint the statistics of a kobold wyrmpriest or the lich
template in a Licensed Product, nor may you define these 4E References. You may, however, print a kobold wyrmpriest lich that you create and that is relevant to your
Licensed Product.
You might also print the specific attack bonus and damage for an NPC’s paladin power, even though you cannot reprint the power text from the D&D 4E Player’s Handbook.

Create new kinds of elves, humans? Just reference racial abilities?

So my questions are these:

1. From the applied mechanical results section, is it saying that as long as you add a template to a monster you are allowed to reprint the stat block?
2. Am I allowed to create new versions of elves, goblins and other such creatures, or is that not allowed by the ‘redefining’ issue.
3. If yes then, when I create my own elves, goblins or other such race can I reprint the racial power or just reference it?
4. If I make my own elves, goblins or other such race can I give them a different racial ability of my own creation in place of theirs or is that ‘redefining’ them?
5. Can I give an original creation monster an ability that is the same as the orc’s “warriors surge” but with a different name? How original do original creations, at least in terms of monster powers, have to be to get around the ‘redefining’ issue?

First note: the GSL is in the process of being revised, hopefully these questions will become more clear when it has been.

2nd note: This is just what I have come to understand the GSL to mean based on what I've read here and interpreting the GSL. for better answers ASK A LAWYER.

I think you basically have a handle on the base concept of the GSL as currently written...

1. Yes basically. Or if you change it (and it's name) slightly, ie: give it a new power etc. But specific copied abilities (say a Kobold's 'Shifty') will need to be referenced still, not written out.
2. Yes I would think making a "wild Elf" doesn't redefine Elf, so yeah.
3. If they are exactly the same, reference.
4. Only if you are making for example "Wild Elves" instead of changing "Elves"
5. This one I'm not 100% on. You'd likely be fine. Specific numbers would probably want to be different. How original does it really need to be? Ask a lawyer.