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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 6190771" data-attributes="member: 42582">My point is that it contains no candidate OGC, because it contains no mechanics.The basic idea of the OGL is to permit reproduction of rules text in which WotC claims copyright. WotC's OGL FAQ opens with the observation that the OGL is a "royalty free copyright licence". It's all about allowing people to reproduce WotC rules text in their own games and game supplements. An the relevant text is characterised as mechanics, methods, processes, procedures and routines.The basic idea of the GSL is to permit reprodruction of words and designs in which WotC claims trademarks, other rights related to trade dress and also copyright: the GSL FAQ describes the GSL as licensing certain "Terms, Tables and Templates". With its prohibition on defining, redefining or altering the definition of SRD references, its all about allowing people to produce material that adds to WotC's 4e world. With its permission (in clause 4.3) to create derivative 2D imagery, it allows including illustrations modelled on WotC's illustrations of its creatures, races etc. But with its contractual obligation not to reproduce any rulebook text, it forbids doing just the sort of thing that the OGL is about permitting. It allows reproduction of work that is derivative of WotC's copyrighted texts (eg encounters with bulettes or tieflings), but not of WotC's text themselves.  [MENTION=38140]Frylock[/MENTION] had a very nice blog on the issue <a href="http://www.loremaster.org/content.php?175-Protection-from-Chaos-Part-V-To-GSL-or-Not-to-GSL" target="_blank">here</a>.Given that - as others have noted upthread - WotC is trying to create an integrated, transmedia D&D experience, I think it's as likely with D&Dnext as with 4e that they will want to ensure story integrity by imposing the same sorts of constraints on 3rd parties. What they might try and do differently is communicate exactly what the function of any new licence is. I think with respect to the GSL there was quite a bit of miscommunication, because it was so different in nature and purpose from the OGL but people were judging it as if it was meant to be a substitute for or equivalent to the OGL.</blockquote>

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