Permission for OGC?

[CBS Brian]

After reading the enormous thread started by NemesisPress, a question sprang to mind. I realize that that thread has become locked, and I'd like to avoid having this one locked as well, so please just answer the question. Nemesis, this is specifically directed at you: this thread is NOT meant to be a soap box for you (or anyone else) to get up on.

While technically true that you do not NEED to ask permission to use someone else's OGC, it is generally recognized as the ethically proper thing to do. What I'd like to know is if anyone has asked, and been told not to? This is strictly a curiosity on my part.

 

[Orcus]

I have never said no when asked. In fact, in addition to giving the thumbs up to people who have asked, at their request I have even reviewed the section 15 of the other publisher's product that was using my content so that they could make sure they were in compliance. That, frankly, is a benefit of "asking permission."

There are two times I could see having a problem. If I was reprinting product and someone was planning on using a whole lot of the OGC from the product. Or if the product to be produced was something I didnt want my name attached to--like say something pornographic or distasteful (obscenity, torture or children, rape, graphic drug use, etc). But even then I would only ask them not to, or ask them to wait until my reprint run sold through. If they didnt, I couldnt stop it of course. And I understand that.

I guess "asking permission" is not the right word. Because that implies the ability to say no and prevent use. The license OBVIOUSLY doesnt grant that power. What I am saying I quess is more like checking to see if people have a problem with the use. If I wanted to use seomthing from Product X and emailed the publisher and they said "would you mind not using that since I am about to reprint it" I would respect that. The license doesnt require it, I know. Luckily, everyone is pretty cordial about the whole thing--small and large publishers. I have even asked to use OGC from someone else and they were gracious and said "no problem."

Clark

 

[CBS Brian]

RE: Permission

Clark,

Thanks for the reply; one of the things I like about you guys at NG is you're never to busy to drop in and answer a question, even if it isn't about your products.

You're right, "permission" is probably too strong a word. Asking a publisher's "blessing" might be a better way of putting it.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Getting Orcus' blessing strikes me as a bit dangerous...

One of the nice things about talking to the people from which you use open content is that they can suggest some ways they might want to be specially cited if they desire. Depending on the publisher you might even be able to more specifically reference the bits you've used from them and that can help the reader track down more information if some bit of open content particularly captured his interest.

 

[Morrus]

OK, I'll allow this on condition that people only answer the question. Any commentary on certain "issues" will get this thread locked.

 

[kingpaul]

While technically true that you do not NEED to ask permission to use someone else's OGC, it is generally recognized as the ethically proper thing to do. What I'd like to know is if anyone has asked, and been told not to? This is strictly a curiosity on my part.

Well, I've asked Monte Cook and Steve Wieck (Sword and Sorcery) to use material that was OGC and PI from them. I got their approval for both items. I've also asked to use OGC from Thunderhead Games (now a division of Mystic Eye Games) and from Ambient, and got approvals there as well.

 

[CBS Brian]

Re: Permission

Morrus,

Thanks for not locking the thread right away. I can understand why you might be apprehensive about this topic being possibly brought up *again*. It just occured to me that the big deal everybody seemed to be making of the whole issue wasn't as big as it sounded, since it seems most publishers give their consent/blessing/permission/agreement/whatever anyway.

 

[oathbrothers]

First of all, I prefer "courtesy letter" to "asking permission".

As for the idea of someone saying no, it won't happen with a reputable/sane/lawful-alignment publisher. Why? Because, THEY'D be violating the OGL by trying to restrict the use of their OGC.

If someone were to refuse you, you could not only ignore them, but go a step further by pointing out to the Open Gaming Foundation that they are violating the license.

Its a scary thought, but someone could go any reprint all the OGC from the SRD or a 3rd party book, but modify it so that the adjectives were all obscenities or something simliarly wacky.
Heehee..How about adding "in my pants" to every sentence in Relics and Rituals In My Pants or The Quintessential Rogue In My Pants.

Will "Liu Bei" Russell
Oath Brothers

 

[Monte At Home]

If someone were to refuse you, you could not only ignore them, but go a step further by pointing out to the Open Gaming Foundation that they are violating the license.

Explain how you're violating the license by saying "no." (Obviously, the person can laugh in your face if you say "no," or just simply ignore you, but I'm not sure how saying "no" actually violates anything other than standard good sense.)

Actually, I can think of an example where it doesn't even violate good sense. Say you come to me and let me know, as a courtesy, that you're going to be using my OGL material in a game about abusing kids. In such a case, I would try to convince you not to do that.

That's pretty close to saying no. Am I violating any license by doing so? I don't believe so.

 

[smetzger]

While technically true that you do not NEED to ask permission to use someone else's OGC, it is generally recognized as the ethically proper thing to do. What I'd like to know is if anyone has asked, and been told not to? This is strictly a curiosity on my part.

I have never been told 'No'. But then I have only informed and saught the blessing of the copyright holder, instead of actually asking permission.