Myrik Games following the Valar precedent?

[HellHound]

Notice that I was just looking for opinions, Mark.

Personally, I am in favor of helping companies like this in private via email, but having done so 9 times in 2004, I decided to post here to see what people thought the proper response would be.

IMO, it is agreed that the proper response is to email them (as I usually do) and alert them of the violation.

Heck, I just finished cleaning up someone else's Section 15 again... (and have started a project on the OGL mailing list to fix the section 15 on another product).

 

[jmucchiello]

Heads up by email? Sure, maybe. Depends on the tone. Heads up by starting a thread or jumping into one publically to discuss someone else's potential contract violations? I'm not so sure that's necessary to achieve the stated goal of being helpful.

In message 11 of this thread I said I sent them a helpful email. Haven't heard back from them yet. In an earlier message I mentioned that sending such emails is hit or miss.

I didn't start this thread. Instead I sent an email. The only reason I wouldn't have started the thread is that I wouldn't expect them to happen to run into the thread on their own. I sent the email to their public "help@..." address since I assume that's where they want to receive business email.

 

[Mark]

Notice that I was just looking for opinions, Mark.

Personally, I am in favor of helping companies like this in private via email, but having done so 9 times in 2004, I decided to post here to see what people thought the proper response would be.

IMO, it is agreed that the proper response is to email them (as I usually do) and alert them of the violation.

Heck, I just finished cleaning up someone else's Section 15 again... (and have started a project on the OGL mailing list to fix the section 15 on another product).

Tough break for Myrik that they happened to be tenth, or that their particular violation (if that is the case) was of the type to move you from private email mode to publically accessible forum mode.

I'm glad to hear you helped nine people in the past, and I am aware of your attempt to clear up the section 15 of AEG's Feats product, but I'm not sure that your record of helpfulness will have any bearing on whatever comes of this thread.

I can quietly advise nine people not to foolishly waltz into a bear's cave, and that's all well and good, but I am not sure that makes a lot of difference to the tenth person who tries, and it might even make it worse if I wave a bunch of other people over to the cave entrance to watch after the tenth person has entered.

Is this not the sort of opinion you were expecting, Jason?

 

[Mark]

In message 11 of this thread I said I sent them a helpful email. Haven't heard back from them yet. In an earlier message I mentioned that sending such emails is hit or miss.

I didn't start this thread. Instead I sent an email. The only reason I wouldn't have started the thread is that I wouldn't expect them to happen to run into the thread on their own. I sent the email to their public "help@..." address since I assume that's where they want to receive business email.

Welcome to the cave entrance...

 

[The Sigil]

It is dark. You might get eaten by a grue.

--The Sigil

 

[TheAuldGrump]

You are in a series of twisting canyons, all alike.

The Auld Grump, exits north, south, east.

 

[Cergorach]

I kind of see it as everyone's playing in the same school yard, everyone tries really hard to behave, but all the new kids keep breaking the rules and the supervising teachers don't correct the new kids that they are doing something wrong.

The point is that the regular kids also want to do stuff that breaks the rules, but they have been convinced that it's a bad idea, so they adhere to the rules set out by the supervising teachers. The problem is that the supervising teachers aren't doing anything when someone breaks the rules, and that makes the 'good' kids feel cheated, why should they stick to the rules and someone else not.

Why do you think society has laws that result in punishment when broken, a lot of people wouldn't follow the laws without some incentive (punishment).

 

[danir]

Okay, just what I needed to ask
I'm publishing my first product which is a campaign setting and since i'm not a native english speaker I'm a bit confused by the STL.
I wanted to write on the front cover -
A campaign setting for use with Dungeons and Dragons.
is that legal?
Thanks

 

[jmucchiello]

Okay, just what I needed to ask
I'm publishing my first product which is a campaign setting and since i'm not a native english speaker I'm a bit confused by the STL.
I wanted to write on the front cover -
A campaign setting for use with Dungeons and Dragons.
is that legal?
Thanks

If you are using the OGL or d20 license, then absolutely no. Otherwise, it probably is not allowed but there are some countries where it is allowed. As usual, if you have serious questions about these licenses, contact a lawyer familiar with IP laws in your country.

 

[Fester]

Okay, just what I needed to ask
I'm publishing my first product which is a campaign setting and since i'm not a native english speaker I'm a bit confused by the STL.
I wanted to write on the front cover -
A campaign setting for use with Dungeons and Dragons.
is that legal?
Thanks

What jmucchiello says is correct - you can't just say "Compatible with Dungeons and Dragons" or anything like that. However, if you use the d20 license for your products, you can (indeed, must) use one of the terms set out in the d20 Guide, which includes "Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook, Third Edition, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc" or "Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons, Third Edition Core Books, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc" (there are others for d20 Modern etc). If you use the 3.5 rules, you can also add "This product utilizes updated material from the v.3.5 revision.". Of course, using the d20 license means you're signing up to exactly what is set out as part of that license (which includes the d20 Guide), so make sure you know what you're agreeing to.

If you only use the OGL, then you can't make any direct connection with Dungeons and Dragons, as that is not a part of the OGL.

As a further note, the ePublisher d20/OGL Guide has just been released. I've just purchased a copy and found it worthwhile.

HTH