Revised GSL on the way

[Brown Jenkin]

Considering WOTC's slow to respond ways in other areas (often taking up to 6 months to formulate a reply), I think everyone should view it as a good sign that WOTC is being so proactive so quickly.

Here are the major changes we should be expecting to see (disregarding minor irritants to selective individuals, irritating to some, laudable to others):
1) Periodical publishers inability to support past issues. (Subsection 6.1)
2) Once changed to GSL, product line cannot be changed back to OGL, meaning the product rises or falls with 4e. (Subsection 6.1)
3) Licensee's inability to use their own IP after the termination of the GSL (Subsection 6.1, 6.1b)
4) No cushion period or protections for licensee for termination of GSL (Subsection 11.1)
5) Total destruction of product line upon termination of GSL (Subsection 11.3)

6) Removal of the change at will clause. Wiithout that change any and all other changes mean nothing in the long run.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

It seems the Rouse has been slipping info to Scott Adams. From August 28: http://www.dilbert.com/strips/

Don't know if the image will change tomorrow.

 

[Jack99]

Sooooooo

It's been a while, Scott, since we have heard your pretty voice over here.. errr, well, you know what I mean..

How are things coming along? Last time I saw a post from you (I think it was on Gleemax) you said things were going well, and that you were going to a meeting with the lawyers. But this was weeks ago.

Care to update us a bit?

 

[Angellis_ater]

Looking forward to it... soon.

 

[Wystan]

Still interested in hearing about this... Any info?

 

[Ourph]

In case you haven't seen the thread in the general forum, we have just announced that we will be releasing a revised GSL, SRD and FAQ shortly.

Apparently, someone forgot to add the qualifier "for some definitions of the term shortly".

 

[Lizard]

Apparently, someone forgot to add the qualifier "for some definitions of the term shortly".

You know, I'm 99.99% certain that when she wrote that, she wasn't expecting unemployment. I really do not blame her for not taking time from her job search to work on the GSL for us.

 

[Ourph]

You know, I'm 99.99% certain that when she wrote that, she wasn't expecting unemployment. I really do not blame her for not taking time from her job search to work on the GSL for us.

IIRC, Linae and Scott's part of the rewrite was done when the announcement was made (pre-Gen Con) and the ball was in the legal people's court. My comment was a (perhaps lame) attempt at humor, not a shot at Linae (or Scott for that matter). I'm sure if it were up to them the thing would have been done long ago.

 

[ruemere]

Quite a few days passed since the announcement (30, to be precise). There is no revised document or any type of announcement which could indicate the state of progress of the documents.
Linae is no longer with WotC. Scott is still working there.

Several conclusions can be drawn here. These are:
- the review process is seriously flawed.
- everyone interested is likely in for a long wait.

Given past experiences, I would expect revised GSL around February or possibly earlier, however with fewer changes than people are hoping for.
It is my estimate that right now the document is being circulated and multiple people are either adding notes to proposed changes or executives are requesting information on why each of changes is to take place.

The problem here is that there is probably nobody is willing to accept full responsibility for the document at the management level. And so things get stalled.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[CapnZapp]

Of course the GSL would have been done by now if anyone at Wizards really gave a damn.

Instead, I would say it is quite likely Wizards see no problems with the GSL dragging on and having issues, as this means fewer competitors for this first very important sales season.