Question about creating a world book

[Taliseian]

I've been working on my own campaign world for a while now, and I've been thinking about putting things into PDF format for download on a web page somewhere eventually.

What I"m curious about is layout. I really like the basic layout of the FRCS. The sections on each country is sort of like how I'd like to layout and describe the different countries on my world. It breaks it down in my opinion very logically and has just about everything I would think a player would want to know and a DM would need.

Would using the layout be considered "plagurising" (sp?) ?

I'm not taking any text out of the book. Everything execpt that layout is my own creation.

Thanks in advance for advice or flames.


T

 

[der_kluge]

I don't think so. I had this discussion about "wording", and layout on the OGL lists quite a while back. Essentially, I was asking if it would be considered a copyright violation if I followed the same basic structure of say, the LoreMaster, when creating a new PrC. Essentially, I think the answer was no, and I also don't think WoTC cares too much. The layout of the FRCS is awesome, and I say go for it. I just wouldn't be too blatant about it.

Of course, IANAL.

 

[KingOfChaos]

I'd be careful copying that format in anyway. It's called trade dress, and you don't want to find yourself sued by WOTC for accidently using any of their trade dress in a PDF...even if its for free.

 

[der_kluge]

Well, not to be cavalier about it, but the worst that could possibly happen is that you get a letter from WoTC asking you to stop. Otherwise, you're good to go.

You didn't hear that from me, in any case. And I hold no liability if they sue you without warning.

 

[tensen]

Would using the layout be considered "plagurising" (sp?) ?

Depends on what you are defining as layout here.

Are you talking about a physical page layout?
If so, this is considered trade dress and you don't want to infringe upon this.

Are you talking about the order of chapters?
It is unlikely that you will run into a problem there... unless you happen to name the chapters that same as in the WOTC book, and then it is questionable.

 

[jmucchiello]

If you mean the fonts, font sizes, margin widthss, and background in FR, then no you cannot copy that.

If you mean the order of presentations (races, classes, feats, magic, countries, gods, etc), they sure. You cannot copyright/trademark an outline. There are only same many ways you can order this information.

 

[Taliseian]

I'm talking about the order of the chapters and the order in which the information is laid out within them. It just seems to flow logically to me (espically the way the countries are handled) and my thought is why reinvent the wheel in that respect.

Fonts, backgrounds, etc I want to do as my own - want to use my own page headers (if I choose to use any).

And I of course will hold no one liable for info posted here.

Thanks for the info.



T