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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Scribble" data-source="post: 4372084" data-attributes="member: 23977">I dissagree. People keep saying it's designed to kill off the OGL. If that were true, wouldn't the language be more along the lines of, once you go GSL you can never make any product (regardless of line) under the OGL?I see it as designed to keep 4th Edition D&D out of the OGL. They didn't release it as OGL, and do not want it to be in the OGL, or used to support OGL competition.They want a bit more control over how their brand is used, and effected by outside parties. But thats aside from the point. You asked what benefit was there to 3pp signing and using the GSL.If I own a business that makes t-shirts, and decide to make mickey mouse t-shirts, and pay Disney for that right there is always a chance Disney could turn around and yank those rights. My business choice obviously should be based on whether I feel the profit (selling MM shirts) outweighs the risks (Disney suddenly without warning and for no real reason yanking my license.)Also, since that's the case, I probably shouldn't put all my eggs in the MM shirt market. Any good business owner should have multiple avenues of revenue. Case in point: Paizo. WoTC chose not to extend their magazine license, but because the company was smart, they didn't put all of their resources into just the magazines. The company reamined alive, and may actually begin making a higher profit because of business decisions related to the magazine going away!Not nesscesarily. If they harm the image of D&D they might end up doing more harm then good. If I make my aformentioned T-Shirts with Mickey Mouse in excessive pornographic situations, will that drive Disney's predominently family oriented customers to their parks?They're protecting their brand, and use of their brand. Not just people making new systems off of their designs, but also people using their brand to help promote other systems.Aside from that, again I don't believe the GSL is designed to "kill off" the OGL. (See above) Just to keep D&D 4e out of it, and to keep D&D 4e from being used to promote a competitor's product.The GSL is basically elements of the STL and the OGL mixed into one. The difference is this time they're keeping control of more of their IP, and not releasing it into the OGL, while still allowing people access to that IP. They're attempting to make the IP stronger, and more meaningful, and not just assuming their IP will be an overwhelming draw.See above. Shrug? Make a chocie. Which avenue will bring in more revenue? Support D&D with your major IP, or support another OGL game. It's a business choice.  Which one brings you more revenue? Monte Cook made a rpetty good run at supporting D&D, until he eventually decided to spin off into his own system and settings. After which we saw a noticeable drop in his products designed to support D&D. He made a business choice as to which line to support.Not being able to support OGL with your GSL products, doesn't indicate that companies cannot make a profit just supporting D&D with that product. Can you turnt he profit you want or need by supporting D&D? If so, then you can sign the GSL and take advantage of what it offers. (acess to the D&D brand.) Otherwise, perhaps you want to make another business choice. Also, (I'm honestly not sure) how many 3pp release products designed to support OGL based games, that weren't D&D? (ie how many people released products designed to be used with True20, or Arcana Unearthed, or Iron Heroes?) Awesome. That's a choice you make as a business. But by doing so, you do not gain the advantages listed above. (plus it seems like more of a PiTA, but that's just me... I'm lazy I guess.)You're coming from the position that WoTC released the GSL to stop others from making products for D&D. If you're making a product that supports D&D and the sale of D&D, I doubt you'll hear much from them.If you start trying to use their brand to market your product without following their guidelines.. You will probably have a problem. Here's an example of what I mean: The Book of Erotic Fantasy. WoTC made the choice that it didn't feel excessive nudity / adult situations helped the image of their brand in the market place. They changed the STL to say they couldn't use the STL for that type of product.The makers of TBoEF released it anyway without the STL under OGL.   They want a little more control this time around as to how their  brand is used. (Mainly I think because they're trying to grow the market for their brand.)Also: Think of the GSL as kin of like a franchise... I can buy into a Dunkin Donuts franchise. When I do, I agree to certain terms and conditions. I need to market things a certain way, can only charge certain prices, and have to honor all promotions and coupons. I aso can't just start calling myself Happy Super Donut, and use all of Dunkin Donuts's resources to promote Happy Super Donut.In return I get certain benefits of the brand, and such.</blockquote>

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