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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Sigil" data-source="post: 376723" data-attributes="member: 2013">Re: Re: OGL issues with MM2Are you sure?*Puts on devil's advocate hat*Suppose for a moment that what WotC publishes is based on an internal document (call it the "meta-SRD") or the PH, DMG, and MM.The SRD is a derivative of that document.WotC publishes the SRD for others, who must derive their material from the SRD, making all rules material OGC.  But they themselves derive their material from the Meta-SRD, which means it is NOT necessarily Open Game Content since the Meta-SRD is not itself OGC - and their material, while compatible with the SRD, is derived instead from the Meta-SRD.Likely?  No.  Possible?  Yes.  In fact, one could argue that the SRD is a derivative of the PH, DMG, and MM - none of which are under the OGL, no?Basically, the simple answer is, "It is WotC's copyrighted material, and the Open Game License applies to *others* using their material, not to them using their own material as they see fit."For instance, if I derive something B from my own work A, I need not credit A as a source for B (though I might do so for shameless plug purposes).  It's my stuff and I *am* allowed to do what I want with it.Another point of clarification - just because I publish something original as OGC in publication A, I am not forced to publish it as OGC in publication B (though there is no real reason not to).  Look at the OGL/OGC in this light and it may help:The OGL does NOT trump copyright law.  Copyright law states that in order to use someone else's material, you must have written permission from them.The OGL basically says, "subject to the following conditions, I give everyone written permission to use the stuff called OGC."  Basically, it fulfills for the other guy the need to get your written permission - though he must follow your rules.Here is my understanding of the way it works (and I may be wrong) - If I release rules material A and fluffy fiction story B as OGC in publication C, only one thing prevents me from turning around and coming to a different agreement for someone writing publication D - the issue of derivative work.  Rules material A is ostensibly a derivative of the SRD and must therefore stay under the OGL, as the SRD itself is under the OGL.  Fluffy fiction story B is NOT derivative work, though.  I hold the original creative rights to it and therefore I am not relying on the OGL to get permission to publish it.  I have permission because I am the copyright holder and can work out other agreements as I see fit.--The Sigil</blockquote>

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