What is the difference between the d20 System and the OGL?

[Roman]

I know there is a difference between the d20 System and the Open Gaming License of the WotC, but I don't know what it is. I get the impression that products under the d20 logo have more restrictions on them than those published under OGL, but that is just an impression.

 

[Desdichado]

I know there is a difference between the d20 System and the Open Gaming License of the WotC, but I don't know what it is. I get the impression that products under the d20 logo have more restrictions on them than those published under OGL, but that is just an impression.

That's pretty much it. d20 products can't include character creation or advancement rules (i.e., XP table) and have a "decency clause" of sorts, while OGL lacks those specific restrictions, but can't use the d20 branding. Check out this link for the official scoop.

 

[Henry]

First, I am not a lawyer what whatever I say in no way constitutes something you could even jokingly use as legal advice. This comes from reading the licenses in question and working on this site for years:

OK, in a nutshell:

---The Open Gaming License gives someone a royalty-free license to use ANY rules or material designated Open Gaming Content (hence the phrase OGC) for their own use, both private and for profit. The Open Gaming license implies NO trademarks of any kind; you could make your own D&D compatible adventures, but you couldn't call them D&D compatible, or even mention D&D by name ANYWHERE in the product or press release.

---You can screw with the content any way you choose, as long as you keep that content open in your works, and ideally you would release some of your OWN content as open, giving other publishers something they can take and use, too.

xxxFor those who want to appeal to a broader audience, The d20 System Trademark License gives you a royalty-free license to claim compatibility with Dungeons and Dragons, but only in a certain way - it's spelled out clearly in the license.

xxxAlso, you agree not to include any info on how to apply experience and level up a character in any way. There are other strctures too (some stuff added a couple of years ago about not violating obscenity laws and so forth) but again, it's spelled out in the license.

So, all d20 products abide by BOTH the OGL and the d20 STL, but not all OGL products abide by the d20 STL.

Clearer?

 

[Roman]

Thanks guys! That clears it up.