OGL/SRD license info for a blog?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm planning on starting a blog featuring, among other things, C&C conversions from 3E and adaptations of other material.

Other than not reprinting product identity -- at least not without dramatically folding, spindling, mutilating and renaming -- do I need to reprint the OGL license information at the end of every applicable blog post? Or would putting it on a single static page on the site -- much like the various online SRDs do -- be sufficient?

Thanks.

 

[nedjer]

I'm planning on starting a blog featuring, among other things, C&C conversions from 3E and adaptations of other material.

Other than not reprinting product identity -- at least not without dramatically folding, spindling, mutilating and renaming -- do I need to reprint the OGL license information at the end of every applicable blog post? Or would putting it on a single static page on the site -- much like the various online SRDs do -- be sufficient?

Thanks.

At a guess a link in the footer would cover it - but I ain't no expert.

 

[JoesephBear]

I'm no lawyer, but I don't think you need the OGL for this. Common sense application of fair use principles (or your country's equivalent) and proper APA or MLA citations should suffice.

If you want to cover your hide and use the OGL anyway, have a section to your blog where you post the OGL contract, content citations, and other stipulated requirements of the OGL. Make sure there is a link to that on the main page. Just remember to read through the whole OGL carefully so you remember to cross all your 't's and dot all your 'i's.

 

[prosfilaes]

I'm planning on starting a blog featuring, among other things, C&C conversions from 3E and adaptations of other material.

Other than not reprinting product identity -- at least not without dramatically folding, spindling, mutilating and renaming -- do I need to reprint the OGL license information at the end of every applicable blog post? Or would putting it on a single static page on the site -- much like the various online SRDs do -- be sufficient?

Thanks.

GROGNARDIA: Open Game License (OGL) does it that way. I think you'd generally be fine with that.

 

[S'mon]

The OGL is intended for commercial publishers; I teach copyright law and I personally would not use the OGL for what you describe.

1. What you are doing doesn't sound as if it involves reproduction of copyright works - a C&C-sized statblock is very unlikely to attract copyright protection.
2. Even if it is, what you are doing sounds like fair use in US law, or else a de minimis reproduction with no commercial significance, which would not attract damages in UK law.
3. The OGL is a contract and imposes liabilities on you, it restricts you from doing certain things, such as referencing trade marks, that you could normally do.

That said, the OGL is generously worded and if you want to use it, feel free.

 

[Mark CMG]

The OGL can be a nice catch all if you plan to produce a lot of OGC and wish to make it available for others to use under the OGL. Alternately, if you only really plan to produce a bit of OGC, you could post the OGC at -


The Grand OGL Wiki

 

[TreChriron]

I would post a comment at the end of any content you want to release as Open with a link to your OGL page. You should include any sources you derived material from in section 15.

This is not only a cool thing to do for people who might want to publish with your material but a nice "kudos" to the original creators, authors, etc. who released that content OGL for you! :-D