The Box

[VirgilCaine]

The idea is very creative though; I liked it. The only thing I can imagine that would be worse than being scratched and bitten in that box would be to be forced to listen to the Marcarana the entire time trapped.

Hey Marcarana! iiiiup.

Hey, it's the Macarena.

 

[Cergorach]

Since you are not selling it, is there really a copyright/OGL issue?

Yes! If you want to do it legaly, not selling it doesn't matter in the eyes of the law. And using the OGL and not implementing it correctly is a problem for all those who want to (re)use the content. Not to mention the bad example it sets...

I don't know the first thing about it.

That's a shame, it's a great way of sharing rpg material.

Not that i'm perfect or anything, i've made a booboo or two as well, but when pointed out i scramble my not so small ass to cover it. ;-)

 

[Staffan]

How does the product name restriction tie in in with d20 products that say "You must own the D&D 3rd edition handbooks to use this product"? Isn't that a claim of compatibility or somesuch?

I'm no lawyer, but basically it works like this:
1. The OGL says (translated from legalese): "You can't use another's trademark without separate permission."
2. The d20 trademark license (which is a lot more restrictive than the OGL, but basically covers what you have to do in order to put the d20 logo on your book) says: "You have to include one of these phrases on the cover of your book:" and then gives a couple of examples, one of which is something like "This book requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragon's Player's Handbook."

 

[EricNoah]

I don't know about AEG, but with WotC the unspoken (actually, somewhat spoken -- I think Ryan Dancey said it) rule was:

a) If you're claiming to follow the license(s), you need to do it right.

b) If it's a fan creation, and you're not claiming to follow the license(s), and if you're not reproducing the owner's material, and you're not making money off of it, probably no one's gonna hassle you for it.

AEG has been pretty darned good about WLD, btw -- if I'm remembering right they allowed folks to modify and post player-versions of the WLD maps. And the maps aren't even open gaming content.

 

[n3dst4]

I think the fact that we're all gamers helps a lot. There aren't (yet) any trained attack lawyers picking on little guys for minor infringements.

If I haven't heard anything by tomorrow morning (UK time, folks) I'll perform a minor edit on The Box and repost it. I'd really hate to actually annoy AEG. I'll also be spending tomorrow morning reading all the licences and guides until I know them properly.

What really happenned today is that I wrote up something I was using for my group, and at the last moment I thought "Ooh! I could OGL this!". And suddenly the trademark/licensing/product identity thing came to the fore. Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the last d20 thing I'll write, so I'll Try Harder in the future.

 

[Cergorach]

What really happenned today is that I wrote up something I was using for my group, and at the last moment I thought "Ooh! I could OGL this!".

That's what i love about the OGL, people can share their good stuff and everybody can eat the cake...

 

[twofalls]

You mention at the end of the article that the material is Copywrited as of 2005. I have a hard time believing you went through the trouble of copywriting the material, or that in fact you actually would be able to if you tried, so why include the phrase at all?

 

[Slife]

You mention at the end of the article that the material is Copywrited as of 2005. I have a hard time believing you went through the trouble of copywriting the material, or that in fact you actually would be able to if you tried, so why include the phrase at all?

According to the copyrighting law, as soon as you make something it's copyrighted. Like, for instance, this post is (c) 2005 me. Use with permission.

 

[Wraith Form]

Do you have trouble with "here one week, gone the next" players? Tired of coming up with reasons why the cast changes every session? You need The Box: a convient act of DM to swap PCs in and out of the party, written to use with The World's Largest Dungeon.

Welcome to the boards.....and, wow! that's a helluva good idea! Very cool! Thank you!

 

[n3dst4]

I've whipped up a non-trademark-infringing version: http://download.n3dst4.com/the_box_fixed.pdf

Now that I've emailed jim pinto I don't want to take down the original until I've heard something.

I've now had a thorough read of the d20 System Trademark License and the d20 System Trademark Guide. As far I can tell, my newly legal version could carry the d20 logo, but all things considered I'm going to stick with simple OGL.

Welcome to the boards.....and, wow! that's a helluva good idea! Very cool! Thank you!

Thanks Wraith Form!