What can you legally use from WOTC?

[The Traveler]

the creatures on srd are not part of the release.

They're part of the gentleman's agreement, which you'd know if you'd, say, seen any third party d20 product with monsters in it.

The gentleman's agreement means that even if they're not released, they're part of the SRD, so you can use them so long as you revise your product if anything changes when they get released.

 

[BryonD]

the creatures on srd are not part of the release.

they are currently part of the gentleman's agreement, with every proclaimed intention of eventual release.

 

[Grazzt]

Re: A different spin on the question

I understand the SRD vs WOTC books stuff.

But, could I create a creature that was mechanically identical to the hook horror, but with a new name and any non-SRD special abilities also renamed?

By the same token, could I not also do the same with any spell, feat, PClass, whatever from any of the WOTC stuff.

I understand that it would be very uncool to rip-off their books in mass. But I do want to understand the legal allowance.

Best thing (and safest thing) to do is just use the SRD or design your own stuff instead of trying to mimic something that has already been done and then give it a new name. Just my opinion though.

 

[jgbrowning]

traveler

Do you understand the words that are coming out of our mouth?

Is it in the SRD? If so, then yes. If not, then no. In the case of Bluff, Disable Device, and Climb, they're in the SRD.

its understandable why the guy would be confused. In what two?.. three? of your posts you told him he could only use what's in the SRD and nothing outside of it, but then you say he can use stuff outside the SRD (monsters) under a gentleman's agreement.

If he's not privy to the agreement you should just tell him about it and not be rude because you know it and he doesn't.

just my .002$.

joe b.

"What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?" Elvis Costello

 

[The Traveler]

Er, there have been third party d20 supplements using orcs and all the other Monster Manual creatures for about two years now. Am I to assume he's missed all of them?

 

[jgbrowning]

well

Er, there have been third party d20 supplements using orcs and all the other Monster Manual creatures for about two years now. Am I to assume he's missed all of them?

my post wasn't about your being right. it was about your being rude. Maybe he's an idiot, maybe not.. eitherway he's asking for your help, not your condensation.

joe b.

 

[Morrus]

Leave it off, guys. The question has been asked and answered - not need to start an argument.

 

[BryonD]

Re: well

eitherway he's asking for your help, not your condensation.

joe b.

Are you saying he's all wet?

 

[Staffan]

The thing about the "Gentleman's Agreement" is that there are effectively two SRDs: The officially released one at http://www.wizards.com/D20/article.asp?x=srd, and the unofficial preliminary one at http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html. For the things that have been officially released, you have to use the official SRD. However, WOTC allows people to use the unofficial SRD for the things that their lawyers haven't had time to put their stamp of approval on yet (basically, monsters, items and psionics), on the condition that once they're officially released future products will conform to the official SRD.

In other words, let's say Necromancer Games releases a sourcebook with an NPC that has a Quiver of Ehlonna. That's OK, because it's in the preliminary SRD. However, if the recent spell release is any indication, that item will be renamed when they officially release the items - possibly to something like a Quiver of Holding. If Necromancer then decides to reprint that sourcebook, they have to update the NPC in question to have a Quiver of Holding instead - unless they do an item version of the new spell names, calling it something like the Quiver of Elona.

 

[jgbrowning]

question

well i've got a question about the using stuff as well

i'd like to use the tables for town generation in something im putting together. They are not in the SRD, nor in the the gentleman's agreement SRD. I expect i should contact WoTC to ask permission to use them and in that case.. who should i email?
I have anthony V's emal and spoken to him before for a few questions, but did he get laid off or moved to a different position? my memory's going.

thanks,

joe b.