Vague Legalese

[DarkSoldier]

Epic-Level Handbook, pg.2: "No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission."

If I interpret this literally, then if I wanted to use any of the ELH's content, I would have to ask WotC first. I couldn't make a Rog25/Perfect Wight 7 without asking WotC if I can use "Perfect Wight" and the epic advancement rules in character creation. I would have to ask WotC if I can run the Kerleth's Tower adventure.

I'm sure this bit of legalese is in WotC's other books as well. It is incredibly vague regarding what freedoms I have to use the material; can they take legal action if I post a Rog25/Perfect Wight 7 on my website?

The last time I talked about vague legalese on a messageboard, I made myself out as a pigheaded wannabe martyr, and I committed cyber-seppuku, so I won't say any more.

 

[Grazzt]

Epic-Level Handbook, pg.2: "No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission."

If I interpret this literally, then if I wanted to use any of the ELH's content, I would have to ask WotC first. I couldn't make a Rog25/Perfect Wight 7 without asking WotC if I can use "Perfect Wight" and the epic advancement rules in character creation. I would have to ask WotC if I can run the Kerleth's Tower adventure.

I'm sure this bit of legalese is in WotC's other books as well. It is incredibly vague regarding what freedoms I have to use the material; can they take legal action if I post a Rog25/Perfect Wight 7 on my website?

The last time I talked about vague legalese on a messageboard, I made myself out as a pigheaded wannabe martyr, and I committed cyber-seppuku, so I won't say any more.

Just like any copyrighted work. You can use the material for your own personal use. No distribution, no selling, etc.

 

[DarkSoldier]

The important part is in any form; personal use is any form. That is what I meant by vague. I think the legalese should be changed to read "No significant portion of this work may be reproduced in any public/commercial form..." ie. class advancement and feat information.

 

[Buttercup]

IANAL, however, copyright has always had a 'fair use' clause. This allows you to make a photocopy of a few pages of a book you own, for your own personal use. I would say that making a character using the rules in any WotC product is fair use. Also, if they did take you to court for putting their products to their intended use, the judge would laugh them out of the building. I would also say that if you made a photocopy of, say, one of the monsters in the Monster Manual to use as a play aid, that would also be fair use. If you photocopy or scan the whole book, and put it on your website, that's a different story.

Don't worry so much.

 

[Buttercup]

The important part is in any form; personal use is any form. That is what I meant by vague. I think the legalese should be changed to read "No significant portion of this work may be reproduced in any public/commercial form..." ie. class advancement and feat information.

They're using the standard language. You can it find in most books published these days.

(edited for grammar)

 

[Maraxle]

IANAL either, but Buttercup is indeed correct.