Where is the Unearthed Arcana SRD?

[Cergorach]

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.

I invite everyone to contact WotC legal department if they feel that i'm doing something that isn't legal. When i'm finished with the UA SRD i actually intend to send a copy to the WotC legal department anyway, and hear what they have to say about it. That doesn't mean that i'll blindly follow their recomendations, i still have the option to disregard their opinions. If i don't follow their recomendations and they feel strongly enough about them being right, they can start legal procedures, we go to court and let a judge decide. As i've said, using names that aren't specifically specified as PI (unless of course the name Andrew Finch is a proper name), shouldn't be a problem unless one of the named people or WotC makes it a problem.

Now, go threathen someone else, i'm not impressed.

 

[philreed]

Now, go threathen someone else, i'm not impressed.

This is in no way a threat but a suggestion. I think you should take a closer look at the PI in Unearthed Arcana. I just looked at the sample PDF and on p. 7 noticed a violation. And it's one that's big enough I would be worried about legal action.

Second column, near the top.

Also, you're graphic design has a few too many similarities to WotC's trade dress. I recommend going with a completely different look.

 

[pennywiz]

Now, go threathen someone else, i'm not impressed.

It's not me you have to worry about, laughing one. I have no use for UA, your pdf, or anything you do, so I'm not a factor you need to consider. Good luck with that whole "will not accept that, no regrets" atittude of yours but I think you'll find one day that it ceases to be fashionable a few months after you get out of school, and it has never been one of prudence. Have fun storming the castle!

 

[Cergorach]

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

Now that is information i find interesting. I had my doubts, but just as it can arguably include the names of the creators, it could also arguably not include the names of the characters. What do i gain by it? Nothing much, but as i said, i'm a completist, if i can 'arguably' include some text, i will.

On a different point
WotC also claims PI on trademarks, d20 is a trademark, should we then remove all mention of the term d20 from all our products?

 

[philreed]

Now that is information i find interesting. I had my doubts, but just as it can arguably include the names of the creators, it could also arguably not include the names of the characters. What do i gain by it? Nothing much, but as i said, i'm a completist, if i can 'arguably' include some text, i will.

On a different point
WotC also claims PI on trademarks, d20 is a trademark, should we then remove all mention of the term d20 from all our products?

Actually, "characters" is included (the PI specifically mentions characters).

And the D20 System License grants us permission to use "D20 System." It's OGL products that do not follow the D20 System License that are not allowed to use that TM. Which is exactly why Mongoose releases products like "OGL Horror" instead of "D20 Horror."

 

[Cergorach]

It's not me you have to worry about, laughing one. I have no use for UA, your pdf, or anything you do, so I'm not a factor you need to consider. Good luck with that whole "will not accept that, no regrets" atittude of yours but I think you'll find one day that it ceases to be fashionable a few months after you get out of school, and it has never been one of prudence. Have fun storming the castle!

Somehow you sound familiar...
As for my philosophy, i accept the consequences of my actions and i do not fret over what might have been. I try to be happy with what i have and i will not accept situations or statements blindly. If you find that 'childish', that's your prerogative, but i find that it serves me well in the corporate world. People tend to know me as someone that speaks his mind, i don't particulary care for rank, and that if i fnck up i'm not afraid to say i did something wrong. That generally means that people trust me because of my 'childish' philosophy. Can you say the same?
[/discussion with pennywiz aka.Da...]

 

[Cergorach]

Actually, "characters" is included (the PI specifically mentions characters).

Argh! two hours past midnight, i need to sleep!
What i meant was "creators" instead of "characters".

 

[pennywiz]

As for my philosophy-

Philosophies work well in theory. As I said, I'm not the one or ones to worry about. If I was, I wouldn't have brough it up. No need for chest pounding on my account. Get some sleep and run it past someone at work tomorrow (a bank, you've mentioned, right?).

 

[Cergorach]

*cradles head*
You guys cost me sleep!

So does anyone have a contact address for WotC legal? I couldn't find it on the WotC site. I'll toss them an e-mail whether or not they consider Charles Ryan a proper name.

 

[philreed]

*cradles head*
You guys cost me sleep!

So does anyone have a contact address for WotC legal? I couldn't find it on the WotC site. I'll toss them an e-mail whether or not they consider Charles Ryan a proper name.

And, while you're at it, read the PI again. As it is, you've already violated the license. How are people going to be able to trust you to separated OGC material from a crippled declaration when you can't even get a clear OGC declaration correct?