D&D 5E (2024) Very cheeky WotC...

[Remathilis]

From WotC point of view, Oz is conveniently in the public domain and not subject to trademark. They could straight up do Oz if they wanted.

Weeeellll....

Book Oz is public domain. Like a lot of properties, later adaptations are still under copyright and need permission to use elements from it. So WotC could use Oz, but it cannot look like 1929 Oz with Ruby slippers or green skin witches. (Yes, they had to get permission to make Elphaba green).

That's the problem with characters and work in the public domain: so much of what we consider integral to the character isn't PD and lawyers will nail you if you step out of bounds. The more famous (and adapted) the character is, the more likely you are to step on a mine.

 

[Rabulias]

Weeeellll....
... it cannot look like 1929 Oz with Ruby slippers...

Since we are talking about copyright terms, I have to point out The Wizard of Oz film was released in 1939.

Even when the film enters public domain (edited to add: a quick Google says 2035), some elements (like the Ruby Slippers) remain trademarked I believe.

 

[Remathilis]

Since we are talking about copyright terms, I have to point out The Wizard of Oz film was released in 1939.

Even when the film enters public domain (edited to add: a quick Google says 2035), some elements (like the Ruby Slippers) remain trademarked I believe.

Yup. My typo. Why do they put the 2 and 3 key so close?

 

[TiQuinn]

Yup. My typo. Why do they put the 2 and 3 key so close?

I think a better question is why isn't 0 to the left of the 1?