Obtaining OGC agreements à la PCGen

[andargor]

Obtaining OGC agreements à la PCGen

Hi all,

My first post in this forum. I apologize in advance for my naiveté in legal matters.

PCGen has obtained agreements with several d20 Publishers to distribute data files with their application.

I have some coding projects in mind, and would like to use the same data. Not necessarily the PCGen files themselves (for which I would ask permission to the PCGen people if only by courtesy), but rather their content.

Is that content fully OGC, hence I can "piggyback" on the agreement, or do I have to contact each publisher individually to obtain permission?

Regards,

Andargor

 

[andargor]

I'm sorry if this has been posted in the wrong place... but none of the publishers here can answer this question?

Andargor

 

[jmucchiello]

I'm sorry if this has been posted in the wrong place... but none of the publishers here can answer this question?

Why don't you ask the PCGen folk?

 

[Mark]

It's my understanding that PC Gen asked specific publishers for specific permission to use some Product Identity in their files along with Open Game Content. With OGC there is no need for permission but it sounds like you are not sure what you want specifically, which makes this question nearly impossible to answer with any confidence (which might be the reason no one has stepped up yet.)

I think I would suggest one of two approaches to your project. Either figure out exactly what you want and go to the original source for permission to use anything that is beyond OGC, or lay your cards on the table about what it is you wish to do and see if that draws voluntary publishers to you.

Either way, I wish you good fortune with your pursuit.

 

[andargor]

It's my understanding that PC Gen asked specific publishers for specific permission to use some Product Identity in their files along with Open Game Content. With OGC there is no need for permission but it sounds like you are not sure what you want specifically, which makes this question nearly impossible to answer with any confidence (which might be the reason no one has stepped up yet.)

Thanks for the reply.

For example, Creative Mountain Games gave permission to PCGen to use classes and spells, as well as terms such as "Trundle" or "Lexus", in their data files.

I notice that the data files from PCGen entitled "trundlefolk" mention "ISOGL:YES", meaning they are Open Game Content (I think).

So, other than requesting permission to use "Trundle" and "Lexus" in my tool (IP of Creative Mountain Games), do I have to ask specific permission?

And if the data file is marked as "OGL" or "OGC" (not sure of the difference), does that mean I can use spells and classes from "trundlefolk" without asking specific permission?

I just want to make really sure I don't ruffle feathers or tread on toes! You guys do good work

EDIT: The tool I want to build is a generic RPG system engine. I don't want to get into technical details, but it will support "schemas", one of which will be d20 D&D. This will be OGL and free.

Andargor

 

[Mark]

So, other than requesting permission to use "Trundle" and "Lexus" in my tool (IP of Creative Mountain Games), do I have to ask specific permission?

"Trundlefolk", actually, and "Lexus" and "Culture Class" are all PI (Product Identity, not IP in this context which is Intellectual Property) of Creative Mountain Games (me) and would require permission from Creative Mountain Games (still me ). No one with special permission has the right to extend that beyond their own specific product, even to themselves in another product, unless that permission for multiple products or an extended license has been given (which is not likely since one never knows what someone will do in the future or who might own a company from year to year.) This is why it is best to go back to the source rather than take for granted that you have either read a secondary source correctly, of that they, in fact, have dotted all their T's and crossed thir eyes... If you are unsure what materials in a particular product come from what source, due to several sources being used and no specifics being given, drop an Email to that publisher with specific questions and you'll likely get a very clear response.

You might want to go over the licenses again and be sure you understand them perfectly before you dive into releasing materials via them. If they still seem unclear, do yourself a favor and consult an attorney. It's not bad to have only a cursory understanding of the licenses if working for someone else (in fact it's a big plus to have some level of understanding when freelancing, nearly a must), but if you plan to be the one legally/financially responsible for a company, and further plan to base that company's products on a lot of other company's OGC and PI, it behooves you to be letter perfect on your understanding.

CMG uses very little OGC from sources other than the SRD (primarily because I'm an old fart with 30 years of my own material to draw from, and a whole lot of ideas of my own how to implement that material), so my risk is comparably/relatively very low. If I am reading you right, your risk will be about as high as one could expect from any third party publisher. Tread extremely cautiously.

Nonetheless, I wish you welll and good luck!