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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Treebore" data-source="post: 4347232" data-attributes="member: 10177">Copyright does not necessarily protect the word "Drow", but it does protect it AND how TSR/WOTC defined it.As for rules and mechanics, those are not protected, but how they are presented are. So you can't use the same manner of presentation, the same XP charts, the same graphs/charts/tables, etc... Everything would have to be changed and presented differently, but the "D20" mechanic itself is usable, just not the "d20" logo.You would also want to change how you describe various races and how you define the various classes. Same with spells, monsters, and magic items.So you could definitely "clone" 3E or 4E under copyright laws, but there will be a lot of genetic differences that they would have some difficulty cross breeding, but it could still happen.The 3E OGL is very friendly and open, so your better off using that OGL. The 4E GSL looks to be a very different story though. Very controlling and overly so.Only do the 4E GSL if your fine with eventually losing control of everything you create. If you can accept that as a possible outcome then the GSL can work for you. The other limitations are less onerous and can be lived with.IF you want to ensure you retain control of what you create, how and when you publish it, etc... then publishing without the GSL while making sure not to violate copyright and trademark is a very viable way to go. Its been done before, successfully. I enjoyed buying such material back in the 80's and 90's, and I am sure I will find it enjoyable again, if I ever start playing 4E.</blockquote>

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