Questions for Conversions FAQ

[Morrus]

As you know, I'm not going to be opening up the 'new' conversion library until the conversion FAQ is ready. I've already received several conversions from people who thought that they were compliant, when, unfortunately, they were not.

Anthony Valterra has kindly agreed to answer questions for inclusions in the FAQ. So, if you have any specific questions as to how or if you can do something, please post them here.

This isn't a thread discussing the merits of the policy or anything else. It's just for "How do I?" or "Can I?" type questions. You can discuss the policy elsewhere, in your own thread!

So far I have the following items ready:

Can I convert just part of a document - e.g. a monster or a spell?

Yes. Update Section 15 of the text of the Open Game License you include with your work to include a copyright notice in the following format:

“[insert title of product in which the monster originally appeared here], © [ insert copyright date from the product in which monster appeared] Wizards of the Coast, Inc.”

and

“d20™ System Conversion of Monster which originally appeared in [ insert product title here ], ©2002 [insert your name or company name here ].”

Can I refer to a monster or other item in a non-OGC WotC product (such as Monsters of Faerun?)

Yes. It would be a problem in a completely OGL document. But in this case we have said you must state that all proper names are copyright us, so therefore it is okay. So, yes, you may use a reference such as "Stinger (hp: 30), See MONSTER COMPENDIUM: Monsters of Faerun pp. 80-81."

Can I convert non-ESD products, such as old paper 2E modules and books?

Yes. The policy covers conversions of paper-based products. This maybe made a little clearer later.


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Here is the conversion policy for your reference: http://www.d20reviews.com/bits/ESD_policy_Final.rtf

Here is the template that will be used for ALL conversions: http://www.d20reviews.com/conversiontemplate.rtf

Please note the parts of the template that need to be filled in - this seems to be the bit that people aren't doing.

 

[Steve Jung]

Hi,
I have a question about products from the "D&D classics for Download" webpage (e.g, "The Secret of Bone Hill"). For conversions, are we allowed to include the entire module? Thanks.

Steve

 

[Morrus]

Hi,
I have a question about products from the "D&D classics for Download" webpage (e.g, "The Secret of Bone Hill"). For conversions, are we allowed to include the entire module? Thanks.

Steve

I can answer that one already. All you can include are the conversion notes, whether or not the product is available for free (the policy has nothing to do with cost). You can include a link to the free product for the sake of completeness.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Not entirely sure that this should go here, but I'll ask anyway.

You said at the end of your post that old 2e paperbacks can be converted. Does that mean that the psionics-related paperbacks can be converted into d20 terms, so long as the source is indicated?

 

[Morrus]

Not entirely sure that this should go here, but I'll ask anyway.

You said at the end of your post that old 2e paperbacks can be converted. Does that mean that the psionics-related paperbacks can be converted into d20 terms, so long as the source is indicated?

Any 1E or 2E paper or ESD material can be converted.

 

[Henry]

Q: So far, we have been told that we CAN refer to a Monster by name, with a reference to a non-OGC product. Can we also include that monster's stats from said non-OGC product, or can we make them up ourselves?

Example: A creature such as a Bullywug is used in an old 1st edition TSR Paper Product. Which of the following options is legal in a conversion?

1. Rename them "Frog-men" or some such, and convert their stats by hand.
2. Call them "Bullywugs", cite their copyright source and convert their stats by hand.
3. Call them Bullywugs, cite their copyright source, and use the stats that are listed in the copyright source.
4. Call them Bullywugs, and cite their copyright source. Period.

The reason I ask is that a monster encounter with no 3E stat block in the conversion will be far less useful than a conversion with stats. Even if we must convert them with our own stats, it would still be far more useful to have than just a copyright source, for the sake of those who do not have a certain book.

 

[Voadam]

When converting monsters how much can become OGC? many 2nd edition monster sources had useful ecology, society, and description sections. If the references to WotC named settings, characters etc. were removed could the rest be turned OGC? The srd contains descriptive combat notes for example.

Also, what past TSR products are off limits for converting? The old policy stated you could not do Conan, Lankhmar and marvel while the new one doesn't mention them. What about dragon magazine articles on non D&D stuff?

Third, Say I wanted to convert the stoneskin spell from Unearthed Arcana. My understanding is the the conversion document could do the whole spell in 3e terms even copying parts of the spell description verbatim that do not change but are necessary for understanding the spell. If I then wanted to use the spell as OGC I could use all of it except the spell name (the spell description contains no references to settings or characters). I would then rename, say absolute impact protection and then cite the conversion document's copywrite section. Is that correct?

Has Wizards posted the conversion document on their site at all?

 

[smetzger]

1a) Why is it called an ESD Conversion Agreement if it aplies to things which are not ESDs?
1b) If we are allowed to convert things which are not ESDs, then how can we be complient with this paragraph:
"You must clearly identify the ESD that has been converted, and it is customary to provide a link to the Wizards Web page where the ESD may be downloaded." ?
Obviously we don't have to include a link, but we cannot clearly identify a non-existing ESD.
1c) And how can we be complient with this statement: "Permission is granted to use the full and complete title of any ESD obtained legally from Wizards for a conversion. You may only use that title in the following format:..." ? If there is no ESD then we cannot use the title of something that is nonexistent.

2a) The document says "...ANY 1ST AND 2ND D&D®/ AD&D..."; are we allowed to convert Basic edition things? Such as B2 Keep on the Borderlands.
2b) If it is your intention to allow the conversion of Basic edition material also, how can we be complient with the statement: "...ANY 1ST AND 2ND D&D®/ AD&D..."?

3) Is it illegal to sell hardcopies of old D&D material on ebay? The following quote seems to suggest that WOTC believes it is illegal: "Wizards shall be the sole source of the original materials, whether they have been obtained as ESDs, scanned, or otherwise procured. "

4a) The document says: "the OGL must be included in the download such that it will print along with the materials". I relize this is a stipulation of the OGL. However, the Open Gaming Foundation and the WOTC d20 web site do not adhere to this restriction. Do the Open Gaming Foundation and WOTC get special treatment and not have to abide by this stipulation?
4b) I have heard that you are allowing www links to the OGL license. Can we use a link to the license? What are the stipulations for only using a link? Must it be a web based document (e.g. html file)?

5) The agreement stipulates that we publish under d20 with the following: "... You may only use that title in the following format: d20? System Conversion...". Must every single person who makes a conversion document register as a d20 publisher?

6) When will the agreement be posted to the WOTC web site?

 

[GuardianLurker]

Yes - some of these are addressed directly in the policy; breaking them out (a la' Mr. Vallera's annotated version) could be very helpful.

--
Can we post conversions in formats OTHER than PDF?

If converting from what is the "Stat Block" of a spell/item? Can we convert spells/items introduced in the module to 3e?

If converting from an old non-ESD module, may we scan in any graphics for inclusion (i.e. player aids, module art, maps)? How about maps only?

Can I include OGL content to replace some (or all) of the non-OGL content? What are the limits?

If a 3e version of a monster/item/etc already exists, must I use that version, or may I perform a custom conversion?

When updating the old "OGL" content (stat blocks, etc.) to 3e, can I refer to "closed" 3e content? E.g. If I'm converting an old fighter 11, and I believe he is best represented as a Fighter 6/Devoted Defender 5 (from S&F), can I use/refer to the Devoted Defender? Or must I restrict myself to the SRD and OGL, or just the SRD?

Are there any plans for "fan-for-hire" ESDs? Or who would we talk with to become a part of the official ESD conversion process?
---
On a similar note :

Is it permissible to produce a version of the SRD in non-RTF format electronic form (PDF, HTML, Word Doc, etc)? Would this include the "gentleman's agreement" portions of the SRD? If a third-party couldn't do this, could WotC at least use a format OTHER than RTF for their released SRD sections, preferably HTML?

Could a d20 publisher print a substantially re-formatted version of the SRD (or sections of it)? As an example, could a publisher print a high-end, color version of the "Monster Manual" in a loose-leaf 1 monster/page format? Or make the same available as a PDF?

 

[Morrus]

I can answer some of these already; others I'll pass to Anthony. Others have nothing to do with the conversion FAQ, so I won't be dealing with them here. Some are questions about the policy or reasons behind it etc, also which aren't being covered here. Remember, folks, if it doesn't begin "How do I?" or "Can I?" it should probably be addressed somewhere other than on this thread. And remember - this isn't 'soap box' space; it's a thread designated for one purpose only. Try and help me out here, eh?

1a) Why is it called an ESD Conversion Agreement if it aplies to things which are not ESDs?

Not relevant here.

1b) If we are allowed to convert things which are not ESDs, then how can we be complient with this paragraph:
"You must clearly identify the ESD that has been converted, and it is customary to provide a link to the Wizards Web page where the ESD may be downloaded." ?
Obviously we don't have to include a link, but we cannot clearly identify a non-existing ESD.
1c) And how can we be complient with this statement: "Permission is granted to use the full and complete title of any ESD obtained legally from Wizards for a conversion. You may only use that title in the following format:..." ? If there is no ESD then we cannot use the title of something that is nonexistent.

I'll ask.

2a) The document says "...ANY 1ST AND 2ND D&D®/ AD&D..."; are we allowed to convert Basic edition things? Such as B2 Keep on the Borderlands.
2b) If it is your intention to allow the conversion of Basic edition material also, how can we be complient with the statement: "...ANY 1ST AND 2ND D&D®/ AD&D..."?

I'll ask.

3) Is it illegal to sell hardcopies of old D&D material on ebay? The following quote seems to suggest that WOTC believes it is illegal: "Wizards shall be the sole source of the original materials, whether they have been obtained as ESDs, scanned, or otherwise procured. "

Only in relation to things produced under this license. The license has no effect on the world in general, just on converting WotC's old stuff.

The document says: "the OGL must be included in the download such that it will print along with the materials". I relize this is a stipulation of the OGL. However, the Open Gaming Foundation and the WOTC d20 web site do not adhere to this restriction. Do the Open Gaming Foundation and WOTC get special treatment and not have to abide by this stipulation?

WotC is not bound by its own license. It can do whatever it wants with its own property. That said, this question shouldn't have been her e- it's making my life more difficult trying to sort out the relevant questions.

I have heard that you are allowing www links to the OGL license. Can we use a link to the license? What are the stipulations for only using a link? Must it be a web based document (e.g. html file)?

You must include the license as stipulated in the policy.

The agreement stipulates that we publish under d20 with the following: "... You may only use that title in the following format: d20? System Conversion...". Must every single person who makes a conversion document register as a d20 publisher?

No; there is no correlation between using that title and being a d20 publisher. Creating a conversion under this conversion agreement is different to publishing a d20 product.

6) When will the agreement be posted to the WOTC web site?

Not really relevant here. But feel free to ask AV yourself.

When converting monsters how much can become OGC? many 2nd edition monster sources had useful ecology, society, and description sections. If the references to WotC named settings, characters etc. were removed could the rest be turned OGC? The srd contains descriptive combat notes for example.

I'm not clear what you mean?

Can we post conversions in formats OTHER than PDF?

The license doesn't specify format. I'll be requiring .rtf for the EN World conversion library, but you can use any format for your own sites.

If converting from an old non-ESD module, may we scan in any graphics for inclusion (i.e. player aids, module art, maps)? How about maps only?

Absolutely not.

Can I include OGL content to replace some (or all) of the non-OGL content? What are the limits?

Not sure what you mean. If it's derived from the SRD (which, by definition, your stats etc must be) then it's automatically OGC. The character names etc. aren't.

If a 3e version of a monster/item/etc already exists, must I use that version, or may I perform a custom conversion?

I'll find out. I'd guess that you can do your own conversion, but I'll get the official word.

When updating the old "OGL" content (stat blocks, etc.) to 3e, can I refer to "closed" 3e content? E.g. If I'm converting an old fighter 11, and I believe he is best represented as a Fighter 6/Devoted Defender 5 (from S&F), can I use/refer to the Devoted Defender? Or must I restrict myself to the SRD and OGL, or just the SRD?

Answered in my initial post.

Are there any plans for "fan-for-hire" ESDs? Or who would we talk with to become a part of the official ESD conversion process?

Not relevant here.

Is it permissible to produce a version of the SRD in non-RTF format electronic form (PDF, HTML, Word Doc, etc)? Would this include the "gentleman's agreement" portions of the SRD? If a third-party couldn't do this, could WotC at least use a format OTHER than RTF for their released SRD sections, preferably HTML?

Could a d20 publisher print a substantially re-formatted version of the SRD (or sections of it)? As an example, could a publisher print a high-end, color version of the "Monster Manual" in a loose-leaf 1 monster/page format? Or make the same available as a PDF?

Not relevant here.