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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 5453696" data-attributes="member: 23935">The OGL didn't really affect their IP since you can't protect game rules with copyright.  There are companies producing content for 4e without using the GSL because they know what side of the IP line to stay on.  OSRIC and other OD&D and AD&D retro-clones are further examples of people producing content for game systems without infringing on IP because they stick to rule reproduction.WotC IP is still fully protected -- that's why Pathfinder doesn't have illithids, githyanki, umber hulks, and spells named after Greyhawk wizards, for example.It DID provide a safe harbour that clarified what can be used without threat of litigation by accepting some relatively light additional licensing requirements.  That safe harbour encouraged others to construct complementary, and in some case competitive, works. The safe harbour may have emboldened some game producers who otherwise would steer clear of anything that smacks of potential litigation, but the success of OSRIC would suggest a supporting system would have been created anyway since a large audience was apparent even before 4e was released.  The reaction to the previews certainly made it clear that a proportion of the audience was not impressed with the new system.</blockquote>