NWN Conversions of existing modules - big "No-No"

[Orcus]

Right now, as the OGL is phrased you cannot include OGC content into NWN modules even with the permission of the OGC creator and thats a damn shame.

Not quite.

If I am the creator of the OGC, I am also its copyright holder. Just becasue I released that content as OGC does not mean I can not also release it in a NWN module by seperate license. But only the actual copyright holder can do that. Those trying to 'reuse' OGC cant do that.

Clark

 

[kaliban]

True, the copyright holder can do what he wants with his own materiel(even release it to the public domain ), but I was mostly referring to OGC by other content producers.

As far as scripts being covered by the EULA, it's seems to be very vague language they are using so I'm not sure that a plain text file with script code is covered. Of course, I'd seek a lawyer's opinion first if I went this route but I suspect I'd have a leg to stand on.

Besides the legal issues, I'm not sure it's quite that good of PR for Bioware/Infogrames to go after people who are simply trying to use OGC which is intended to be more lax about re-use than standard copyrighted materiel(assuming the OGL is used). I'm not trying to recreate Keep on the Borderlands for distribution but simply incorporate content that ostensibly I already have permission to reproduce(i.e. OGC that is released under the terms of the OGL). I think Bioware/Infogrames is more concerned about people trying to illegally reproduce and distribute copyrighted materiel without permission of the owner.

-Len

 

[Hand of Evil]

This is what 'changed' mastertools. Software rights to D&D are controlled by Infrogames. Hasbro sold those rights.

 

[Brisk-sg]

Besides the legal issues, I'm not sure it's quite that good of PR for Bioware/Infogrames to go after people who are simply trying to use OGC which is intended to be more lax about re-use than standard copyrighted materiel(assuming the OGL is used). I'm not trying to recreate Keep on the Borderlands for distribution but simply incorporate content that ostensibly I already have permission to reproduce(i.e. OGC that is released under the terms of the OGL). I think Bioware/Infogrames is more concerned about people trying to illegally reproduce and distribute copyrighted materiel without permission of the owner.

-Len

Bioware/Infogrames would not be going after you for creating material based off of OGC material. The holder of the IP you are publishing as a Neverwinter Nights module would be responsible for the protection of their IP.

The OGC does not, to the best of my knowledge, allow for publication of Open Gaming Content in other forms such as Video Games. As such, the OGL does not provide you the legal option of using the IP of someone else OGC in another form.

If you can obtain the rights to publish someones OGC from the IP holder of that specific content, then you can create a module. But if you cannot obtain the rights from the IP holder then you can not legally distribute a module based on their IP.

The IP holder would be required to prosecute you to protect their IP.

Basically, when publishing to a format not specifically allowed in the OGL, then OGC is no diffrent then any other IP. The OGL does not allow you to use OGC content for anything you want, otherwise it would be public domain.

 

[rangerjohn]

Big Hassle

All I know is I'm glad I know this before I made a purchase. Seems the chances of anyone making modules for NWN at his time is very slim. You would have to be a lawyer, writer, and programmer to get it done. Personally I'm none of those.

 

[Emirikol_Prime]

No worries all. All Morrus is saying is that this board cannot allow old skool conversions to be posted/distributed.

They will be made (and made well, I'm thinking) and they will be easily found online. Be patient - I'm sure Wizards will have something to say about it but if they had a developer put the toiols out there, they have to knopw that this will happen.

Now worries - if they build it, we shall have it.

 

[Lily Inverse]

Someone said at some point that, because of legal issues, it's impossible to use OGC content with NWN even if the copyright holder gives permission. If he gives permission, he's also giving you license to ignore the OGL to the extent he deems fit. Not sure how that would hold up in court, but that's what's being said. You've been given a release NOT covered by the OGL, so that doesn't really apply.

 

[Steven McRownt]

What about campaign settings?
Would be legal to "convert" NPCs, Cities or locations from Faerun or Toril?

If some of us play the P&P D&D in a FR settings and want to build a world for his players using NWN, could do that or we have to call Elminster in a slightly differente way (Al Minister, sort of Al Capone) just to not be sued?

Steven McRownt

 

[Grazzt]

What about campaign settings?
Would be legal to "convert" NPCs, Cities or locations from Faerun or Toril?

If some of us play the P&P D&D in a FR settings and want to build a world for his players using NWN, could do that or we have to call Elminster in a slightly differente way (Al Minister, sort of Al Capone) just to not be sued?

Steven McRownt

Have to be careful. Even derivatives of copyrighted material can get you into trouble.

 

[JD2000]

Corporate Counsel for WOTC

If you want to know who will probably know more about this it will be the Corporate Counsel for Wizards of the Coast. I got his profile from Martindale-Hubbell:

JAMES S. SHAW
Renton, Washington
(King County)

PRACTICE-AREAS: Intellectual Property; Business; Corporate.

ADMITTED: 1995

LAW-SCHOOL: University of Iowa (J.D.)

COLLEGE: Duke University (A.B.)

TEXT: Corp. Coun., Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

BORN: 1968

Just thought I would throw that out there for your consumption.

I'm an attorney and just from my point of view this could be very complicated for WOTC. So, it may take them a while before that figure out a policy on this. Anyway, just thought I would throw out a name I came by who will be involved in this decision.

Doug