The future of the OGL and SRD

[seskis281]

So as an RPGer who primarily buys material from 3rd party (non WotC) publishers, I am interested in thoughts on the future of the OGL and SRD.

It's pretty clear WotC is consolidating its exclusive rights on the D&D brand name again, as witnessed by the expiration/cancellation of licenses to 3rd parties....

So can the OGL and SRD be revoked as well? - or is that genie too far out of the bottle?

Or, could the OGL and SRD be changed to enforce 4e-based concepts (yes, I realize there's a separate thread on 4e but this is more about the OGL as it applies to broader RPGing).

Just curious if this is a matter that has been brought up, rumored about, or otherwise. If there's already been a thread I apologize for missing it.

 

[jdrakeh]

So can the OGL and SRD be revoked as well? - or is that genie too far out of the bottle?

The genie has been too far out of the bottle since day one

Or, could the OGL and SRD be changed to enforce 4e-based concepts

Nope. They can choose to issue and support a new draft of the OGL and SRD, though they cannot retroactively alter existing versions.

 

[Teflon Billy]

At the ENnies Scott Rouse made a special point to quell rumours that WotC wouldn't be supporting the OGL.

He got quite a round of applause.

 

[MerricB]

He's also stated there will be a new SRD for 4e.

Cheers!

 

[Henry]

Yeah, most recent word I've heard is that the OGL is still supported by them, but the d20 trademark license may be getting a rewrite (or a death, replaced by a different license, but it's still too early to know anything positive).

 

[Umbran]

So can the OGL and SRD be revoked as well? - or is that genie too far out of the bottle?

Once a work has been released under some version of the current style of OGL, that version applies in perpetuity.

Or, could the OGL and SRD be changed to enforce 4e-based concepts (yes, I realize there's a separate thread on 4e but this is more about the OGL as it applies to broader RPGing).

A new version of the OGL could be written, and new products released under it. But the old version would still apply to old works. They could release an SRD for an entirely different game, but the SRD for the current one would still exist.

It is perhaps better to think of it not at the OGL, but as one possible open gaming license. There can be many similar licenses for open content out there, with variations on the rights and duties involved in using it. Right now only one is seeing much use, but that does not mean other licenses could not be created.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

I guess the rumor that "WotC can revoke the OGL" will only die out when the universe collapses into itself under its own gravitational force...

 

[seskis281]

Once a work has been released under some version of the current style of OGL, that version applies in perpetuity.



A new version of the OGL could be written, and new products released under it. But the old version would still apply to old works. They could release an SRD for an entirely different game, but the SRD for the current one would still exist.

It is perhaps better to think of it not at the OGL, but as one possible open gaming license. There can be many similar licenses for open content out there, with variations on the rights and duties involved in using it. Right now only one is seeing much use, but that does not mean other licenses could not be created.

Thanks to all - cleared up my understanding of how these licenses work.

 

[Ranger REG]

I guess the rumor that "WotC can revoke the OGL" will only die out when the universe collapses into itself under its own gravitational force...

Either that or diaglo publicly endorses 4e.

 

[Umbran]

Either that or diaglo publicly endorses 4e.

Dude, I do not want to see any more signs of impending apocalypse just now...