Where is the Unearthed Arcana SRD?

[Yair]

Cergorach: Thanks for your work, it looks amazing.
If I may suggest, there are other attempts at providing a logo to effectively "replace" the d20 logo with a "D&D-compatible OGC" logo; have you looked into these? The name Prometheus comes to mind.
Also, you designate some house rules by author name, which I am not certain is allowed. Isn't the name effectively the PI of the author? It may be used as a quotation, still... well, I really don't know, I just thought it might be so.

Again, thanks for this, it really is great.

Yair

 

[Cergorach]

If I may suggest, there are other attempts at providing a logo to effectively "replace" the d20 logo with a "D&D-compatible OGC" logo; have you looked into these? The name Prometheus comes to mind.

I have, the problem is that none of these do exactly what i want them to do. You could effectively make a D20 product that has nothing to do with gaming. I'm trying to make some sort of license that will allow you to designate a product as "20Sided-Fantasy" and it will be compatible with the basic SRD(3.5), "20Sided-Modern" will be compatible the Modern SRD, etc. The problem with this is that it's not so much about protecting my IP, but rather protecting the gamer so they don't get material that's incompatible for their game, this is very difficult. On one hand you want to give the gamer as much assurance that the product that bears the "20Sided-Fantasy" stamp really is compatible with "20Sided-Fantasy", on theother you don't want the publisher to jump through hoops, both need to be perfectly balanced and that is prooving to be dificult.

Also, you designate some house rules by author name, which I am not certain is allowed. Isn't the name effectively the PI of the author? It may be used as a quotation, still... well, I really don't know, I just thought it might be so.

That was also a bit of a strange situation, i decided that it wasn't the case, but if WotC (or one of the authors disagrees) i'll remove them (not because i agree, but as a courtesy). I figured that a company generally can't claim IP on the name of their personel. It's an electronic document, so if it needs to be changed i can do that within a few minutes (if i am at home).

 

[philreed]

That was also a bit of a strange situation, i decided that it wasn't the case, but if WotC (or one of the authors disagrees) i'll remove them (not because i agree, but as a courtesy). I figured that a company generally can't claim IP on the name of their personel. It's an electronic document, so if it needs to be changed i can do that within a few minutes (if i am at home).

I think it's bad form to use a designer's name without their permission.* It looks as if you're associated with the designer and they have endorsed your work.


* Except for quotes, obviously. And reviews. And editorials . . . you guys get the idea.

 

[Cergorach]

I think it's bad form to use a designer's name without their permission.* It looks as if you're associated with the designer and they have endorsed your work.

* Except for quotes, obviously. And reviews. And editorials . . . you guys get the idea.

Generally i would agree, but these came across as personal experiences/views of individuals, i see them as a sort of editorial. Generally i would prefer not to include author names in OGC, this some how felt a little different.

 

[philreed]

Generally i would agree, but these came across as personal experiences/views of individuals, i see them as a sort of editorial. Generally i would prefer not to include author names in OGC, this some how felt a little different.

I'd recommend not doing it without their permission.

 

[Ranger REG]

Generally i would agree, but these came across as personal experiences/views of individuals, i see them as a sort of editorial. Generally i would prefer not to include author names in OGC, this some how felt a little different.

"Editorial"? Are you doing journalistic work or a fan-made UA SRD?

I give you props for what you're doing. Now if you can tell the others to stop asking WotC for the UA SRD, I can retire my participation in this thread. I agree with philreed that you shouldn't use people's names without permission. I don't think a fan-made SRD need such a thing (e.g., commentary). Besides, you could open yourself up to a lawsuit with the unauthorized use of the name for commercial purpose (regardless if the product is free). Stick to the OGL's term.

 

[pennywiz]

I think it's bad form to use a designer's name without their permission.* It looks as if you're associated with the designer and they have endorsed your work.


* Except for quotes, obviously. And reviews. And editorials . . . you guys get the idea.

Agreed. Unless there is some motivation to push some other point by keeping them in, it would be better to remove them. There's no doubt in my mind that it will lead to a conflict that I don't think anyone is interested in spending time fighting.

 

[Cergorach]

Agreed. Unless there is some motivation to push some other point by keeping them in, it would be better to remove them. There's no doubt in my mind that it will lead to a conflict that I don't think anyone is interested in spending time fighting.

Like i said, if WotC or one of the people quoted in the SRD, indicates that it isn't allright (whether legally or for a personal reason) with them (now or whatever point in the future), i'll remove the names. Otherwise they stay. I appreciate the advice, but if i folowed every advice that people give me, then there wouldn't be a UA SRD... ;-)

By popular demand: "STOP asking WotC for a UA SRD!"

 

[pennywiz]

Like i said, if WotC or one of the people quoted in the SRD, indicates that it isn't allright (whether legally or for a personal reason) with them (now or whatever point in the future), i'll remove the names. Otherwise they stay. I appreciate the advice, but if i folowed every advice that people give me, then there wouldn't be a UA SRD... ;-)

By popular demand: "STOP asking WotC for a UA SRD!"

If you think that being a proponent of the "better to ask forgiveness than permission" camp is going to win you any friends or favors if people start looking much more closely at your work, you might be mistaken. Someone could drop WotC legal a line and point them your way on the issue, but wouldn't it be better just to drop it at this point than to possibly wind up dealing with other potential hassles? For instance, I doubt you have ownership of "20-sided" (which you need to claim something as PI) and it is possible that both "20-sided" and "F20", as well as the use of "UA" in the title, could be construed as creating confusion in the market place, and therefore a challenge to WotC's trademarks and IP. I'm sure a closer look might bring up even more potential problems since, at the end of the day, all sorts of things are potentially up for debate regarding the OGL and d20 license. While I realize that you are overseas, RVP, you do conduct other business in the industry as a retailer, if I am not mistaken, and I am wondering if you really want the can of worms (regarding using people's names without permission) to be opened in the first place. Of course, I'm not saying I would ever send that information along, so no need to rebut me, but I'd imagine there are more than a few people who have read this thread whose better interests would be served by following up in that way.

 

[philreed]

Like i said, if WotC or one of the people quoted in the SRD, indicates that it isn't allright (whether legally or for a personal reason) with them (now or whatever point in the future), i'll remove the names. Otherwise they stay. I appreciate the advice, but if i folowed every advice that people give me, then there wouldn't be a UA SRD... ;-)

By popular demand: "STOP asking WotC for a UA SRD!"

I'm not sure I understand what you gain by using their names. It seems to be a rash action that, when coupled with your intention to produce a free PDF based on Unearthed Arcana, just serves to draw more negative attention to you.

EDIT: Looking at my UA, their PI includes "proper names" which, arguably, could include the names of creators.