Time-delayed OGC

[Nellisir]

What's do people think is the feasibility of an author or publisher putting a time limit on his or her PI, after which it becomes OGC? I'm wondering if this is one possible answer to the "All spell and creature names are PI" problem (which, admittedly, is probably only an irritation to me).

The statement might go something like..."All creature stats, from the Size/Type line to Advancement, and everything under the Combat section heading, is designated Open Game Content. Creature names and descriptions are designated Product Identity until June 1, 2004. After June 1, 2004, creature names and descriptions are designated Open Game Content. All material under the "Only in Morrus's World" section heading is Product Identity."

I'm not proposing this as a replacement for -less- restrictive OGC policies (like Bastion's!), but it seems like something that might work for pdf publishers, whose products have a quasi-limited shelf life, and on print products that aren't likely to be reprinted.

Just an idea
Nell.

 

[smetzger]

What's do people think is the feasibility of an author or publisher putting a time limit on his or her PI, after which it becomes OGC? I'm wondering if this is one possible answer to the "All spell and creature names are PI" problem (which, admittedly, is probably only an irritation to me).

Sounds like a good idea. But I am not sure if its legal. It could be construed as putting limitations on OGC, which is not allowed. Probably better to keep it PI and then tell people that you intend to re-release some/all of your PI as OGC at some point. All you would need to do is make a PDF as a free download that had listings of the PI with the OGL and a properly updated section 15.

Another option is to keep things PI but then give people permission to re-use your PI with your permission or after a certain date. This tactic means its non-OGC but someone always has to come to the original source in order to receive permission to use it.

 

[MThibault]

It is probably best to talk to your lawyer and WotC to get some more official oppinions. It seems to me that this wouldn't be an additional limit to the OGC because the PI is protected indefinitely by the OGL anyway. You are actually removing the limits on the use of PI.

Interesting approach.

Practically, though, I'm not sure that it will make much difference. You mentioned the short shelf-life of pdfs and single print-run products, but there won't be any competition during that short shelf-life anyway. It takes the competition a few months just to get a pdf to market so you aren't too concerned with hedging out the competition. You've already beat them to the market.

The PI is protected for use in later products in the line, or to leverage a separate licensing deal for use of that PI. In the former case, unless your business plan is clear at the outset and you know that you are going to stop supporting that product line (a campaign setting, for instance) after a certain date, then if it is worth protecting in the first place you probably want to hold onto it. The latter case, if it is valuable enough that others will enter into a separate licence then, again, you probably don't want to open it up.

This is a good idea, and one that publishers should probably put in their back pocket in case they need it, but I can't see it being used too much.

Cheers

 

[Nellisir]

It is probably best to talk to your lawyer and WotC to get some more official oppinions. It seems to me that this wouldn't be an additional limit to the OGC because the PI is protected indefinitely by the OGL anyway. You are actually removing the limits on the use of PI.

My opinion also. I haven't (and won't) talk to a lawyer or WOTC because I'm not particularly interested in using it. My only OGC so far has been released via my website, and I only reserve campaign specific material and names. All material I've released has been planned to be complete without campaign specific details (Campaign info on monsters set aside under a different section heading; generic monster/feat/spell names...).

... there won't be any competition during that short shelf-life anyway. It takes the competition a few months just to get a pdf to market so you aren't too concerned with hedging out the competition.

But, I can put OGC material on my website in just a few days, which dilutes the value of the product I derived it from, esp. if it's a "crunchy" product, and esp. if I can use the same names and titles. I don't think a person -should-, but they can, and that may be a concern for some pdf (in particular) publishers.

I agree that this isn't a radical, earthshattering solution, and I don't expect (or want) everyone to immediately switch over to it (I'd rather see all OGC). I just wanted to throw it out there as another possible tool in the box. It "automates" the release of OGC.

Cheers,
Nell.