Paizo Paizo Updates Pathfinder/Starfinder Licenses

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Paizo has announced an update to the third party and fan content licenses for Pathfinder and Starfinder. They are making three major changes:

• The Pathfinder and Starfinder compatibility licenses are being merged into one Paizo Compatibility License. The compatibility licenses allow a this party publisher or creator to use a logo on their product in order to indicate compatibility.
• The Pathfinder and Starfinder Infinite community content publishing platform is being put on hold until Starfinder 2E is released in about a year. More specifically, creators will not be able to publish mechanical content (rules) on the platform, although they can still publish lore, fiction, and art. This is because Pathfinder has now been divested of the Open Gaming License, as will Starfinder 2E, and the ORC license is not compatible with it, so the platform will be updated to use a new license.
• Finally, the Fan Content Policy is a replacement for the Community Use Policy. It's more generous than its predecessor, allowing creators to sell merchandise (dice bags, shirts, plushies, and so on) using Paizo's IP as long as those items are made and sold by the creator and not mass produced or sold en-masse via an print-on-demand platform.

There's more nuance to these changes, of course. You can read them in more detail on the Paizo Blog.

 

[Nylanfs]

The FCP also doesn't allow Rules Mechanics, databases, character generator tools.

 

[Doctor Futurity]

The FCP also doesn't allow Rules Mechanics, databases, character generator tools.

Probably because those tools will cut in to sales with licensed VTT/generators online already through Pathbuilder 2, Roll20, Demiplane, etc.

 

[Incenjucar]

That fan content change is a fantastic one. Shrewd way to get more eyes on the game and a kindness to creatives trying to eat without getting mauled by lawyers.

 

[kenada]

The Pathfinder and Starfinder Infinite community content publishing platform is being put on hold until Starfinder 2E is released in about a year. More specifically, creators will not be able to publish mechanical content (rules) on the platform, although they can still publish lore, fiction, and art. This is because Pathfinder has now been divested of the Open Gaming License, as will Starfinder 2E, and the ORC license is not compatible with it, so the platform will be updated to use a new license.

I don’t think that’s right. The change is that publishers will no longer be allowed to use the OGL for new content. Starting September 1, you must use the Infinite license.

Next month, with the release of Pathfinder Player Core 2, we’ll have completed the 18-month task of divesting our core game from the OGL, and thus, starting on September 1, 2024, publishing of new OGL content on Pathfinder and Starfinder Infinite will cease; publishers wishing to release game content on either platform will need to use the Infinite license exclusively.​

That’s why Starfinder will only allow non-rules content until the release of Starfinder 2e: there’s no version of the game available under a compatible license. Once it is, publishers can release new Starfinder rules content (albeit only for 2e).

 

[kenada]

Finally, the Fan Content Policy is a replacement for the Community Use Policy. It's more generous than its predecessor, allowing creators to sell merchandise (dice bags, shirts, plushies, and so on) using Paizo's IP as long as those items are made and sold by the creator and not mass produced or sold en-masse via an print-on-demand platform.

It’s actually worse in a key way: you can’t publish RPG products. Content like Wayfinder would have to be published on Pathfinder Infinite, which means they lose control of their work (because the terms are similar to the DM’s Guild, which prohibits publishing your content elsewhere), but it also means that content can no longer be part of the “virtuous cycle” that the ORC AxE claimed is why they needed a new license. (This is starting to smell a lot like open-source projects that convert to a “source available” license.)

Most of what you could previously do with the Community Use Policy is still permitted under the Fan Content Policy except for making RPG products, which you’ll need to release through the Pathfinder or Starfinder Infinite storefronts (even for free if you want) from now on. So, you can’t use art from the blog or setting material from Golarion to make your own rulebook or adventure under this license. If you’re currently using the OGL or ORC in conjunction with the Community Use Policy, in order to be compliant with the new Fan Content Policy you’ll need to either remove any game rules that would require you to use cite those licenses or remove any non-rule content you accessed via the Community Use Policy.​

 

[Cergorach]

It’s actually worse in a key way: you can’t publish RPG products. Content like Wayfinder would have to be published on Pathfinder Infinite, which means they lose control of their work (because the terms are similar to the DM’s Guild, which prohibits publishing your content elsewhere), but it also means that content can no longer be part of the “virtuous cycle” that the ORC AxE claimed is why they needed a new license. (This is starting to smell a lot like open-source projects that convert to a “source available” license.)

Has Paizo pulled a 'WotC'? Essentially doing the same thing WotC did, trying to pull the OGL...

 

[Nylanfs]

No. they are making their licenses and policies more distinct with less overlap. They have also said they are listening to fan and creators feedback on the FCP and will have more info after Gen Con.

paizo.com - Community / Paizo Blog

 

[Cergorach]

No. they are making their licenses and policies more distinct with less overlap. They have also said they are listening to fan and creators feedback on the FCP and will have more info after Gen Con.

Some would call that backpedaling if it was WotC/Hasbro and not Paizo... I like Pathfinder/Starfinder and have quite a few digital products by them (besides some physical D&D/PF1 stuff), sure they are a lot less corporate the WotC/Hasbro, but that doesn't suddenly mean they can't do 'bad' stuff...

I find it fascinating that when WotC/Hasbro does something like this there's crowds with torches and pitchforks gathered, but when Paizo messes with licenses, it's like one of those ghost towns with tumbleweed rolling past...

 

[Justice and Rule]

Some would call that backpedaling if it was WotC/Hasbro and not Paizo... I like Pathfinder/Starfinder and have quite a few digital products by them (besides some physical D&D/PF1 stuff), sure they are a lot less corporate the WotC/Hasbro, but that doesn't suddenly mean they can't do 'bad' stuff...

I find it fascinating that when WotC/Hasbro does something like this there's crowds with torches and pitchforks gathered, but when Paizo messes with licenses, it's like one of those ghost towns with tumbleweed rolling past...

I mean, being smaller certainly helps, though when they step in it more they get a whole lot of criticism, too. Though I think, typically, they are a bit more responsive than Wizards for obvious reasons; not being a corporate giant can help them move a bit faster on critiques, and given that they are very much community-based they need to be more responsive. People are generally pretty forgiving, especially if you make it look like you are listening and responding.