Questions on OGL

[JediGeneral73]

Let's say I produced a series of d20 books based on a world I created. Could I....

1. In a monster book produce the 3e stats for orcs or would i have to come up with new stats? OR could I even use orcs in the book at all?

2. Create new classes and prestiege classes?

3. If I create new stats for monsters, how much does the name have to change. For example, let's say I create stats for a minator type creature. Would i have to rename the creature or could i use minator.

4. I noticed in MM2 there were stats for scorpin and yak folk. Let's say eventually you get creatures like dog/wolf folk. I wanted to create new races in the books and they would involve a lot of animal-humanoid creatures. Would I have to call them different names or could i use things like dog folk, wolf folk, yak folk, and scorpin folk with no problems.

I guess I'm really trying to determine how open the OGL really is and how it works.

 

[Morrus]

Hmmm...

These are very basic questions, which suggests to me that you haven't read the licenses yet.

I recommend that if you're considering doing this, make sure you've gone over the licenses with a fine-toothed comb. It's be horrible to see you fall foul of something which you could have easily avoided. Also, check out this page, which has lots of helpful info (expecially peak at the check-lists further down the page):

http://www.d20reviews.com/Eric/d20guide/d20intro.htm

Here's the my opinions as to your questions, though. They're just opinions - check with somebody qualified.

1) You can use anything in the SRD. If it's not in the SRD, you can't use it. You can make up any new stuff you want, though.

2) Yes. There are dozens and dozens of books out with new classes and prestige classes. Check out my D20 Guide to get an idea of what your fellow publishers are doing: http://www.enworld.org/publishers.asp

3) That's fine.

4) I'd consult a lawyer before doing that. In my opinion, you'd be fine - the names and concepts are generic enough. However - and this is fairly important - the fact that you are even asking indicates that your monsters WILL be derivative of the non-open monsters in the MMII (otherwise you wouldn't have asked), not your own original creations, so, technically, the answer is no. If you hadn't asked, I'd have said yes.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ranger REG]

Let's say I produced a series of d20 books based on a world I created. Could I....

1. In a monster book produce the 3e stats for orcs or would i have to come up with new stats? OR could I even use orcs in the book at all?

Use the System Reference Document. They are Open Game Content. You can re-use OGC if you want to. IOW, you can use the stats for Orcs from the SRD

If you want to use the d20 System Trademark License, then alternately you can refer to the Monster Manual as "MM" for the Orc's stats.

2. Create new classes and prestiege classes?

Yes.

3. If I create new stats for monsters, how much does the name have to change. For example, let's say I create stats for a minator type creature. Would i have to rename the creature or could i use minator.

That's up to you. If the new stats is to reflect your version of a minotaur in your game setting, then leave the name as is. If you prefer to give it a unique name which can add flavor to your game, you can do that as well and decide if you wish to keep that to yourself as Product Identity.

4. I noticed in MM2 there were stats for scorpin and yak folk. Let's say eventually you get creatures like dog/wolf folk. I wanted to create new races in the books and they would involve a lot of animal-humanoid creatures. Would I have to call them different names or could i use things like dog folk, wolf folk, yak folk, and scorpin folk with no problems.

Again, that's up to you. If you want, you can research all the current d20 products for names that are designated PI and avoid them so as not to create legal confusion.

I guess I'm really trying to determine how open the OGL really is and how it works.

Well, this is what you CANNOT do with OGL:

1. Use someone else's Product Identity without permission.
2. Use someone else's trademarks without permission.
3. Refer to other d20 products without permission.
4. Claim compatability with other d20 products without permission.

What you CAN do with OGL:

1. Re-use OGC
2. Modify OGC
3. Contribute your own as OGC
4. Designate PI so no one can use it, especially when it is part of your own OGC contribution (see #3; like named spells for example, that's why Wizards remove Mordenkainen from his named spells).

The d20 System Trademark License provides additional restrictions which is located in the Trademark Guide.

 

[JediGeneral73]

I have seen the OGL, but I have not read it yet. I was just trying to test the waters of what I could use. As for the last one, that is a general concern of mine. I have no intention of publishing anything - in the near future that is - but i have toyed with the idea of creating new races out of animals.

There are mainly Dog/Wolf Folk, and Ape/Monkey Folk for a setting I'm working on. Let's say that I was going to put these folk, which have not been published yet, but Wizards or some one else beats me to the punch. They end up being closed. What happens now? Am I basically out of luck? Or could I still publish them with a title of Dogfolk even though it appears in MM3 let's say?

 

[Ranger REG]

Technically, you'd be out of luck.

But if you truly believe that your version of Dog Folk is so different from Wizards' version, then there is a window of possibility. Although, I would release it under a different name. IMHO, the term "dog folk" seem so bland. Try and come up with a cool name.

If you are interested in OGL, you should read it. If you are not interested, then your time is better spent on playing and enjoying the game.

 

[Morrus]

There are mainly Dog/Wolf Folk, and Ape/Monkey Folk for a setting I'm working on. Let's say that I was going to put these folk, which have not been published yet, but Wizards or some one else beats me to the punch. They end up being closed. What happens now? Am I basically out of luck? Or could I still publish them with a title of Dogfolk even though it appears in MM3 let's say?

There have been feats and spells developed independently by WotC and other companies but which are pretty much identical. It happens. As long as yours were independently developed, you're fine.