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Message: <blockquote data-quote="toucanbuzz" data-source="post: 8907506" data-attributes="member: 19270">It's not a long document. I've read through and compared it to 1.0a. The major changes are:(1) Ability to moderate hateful product. Previously, they couldn't do a thing if someone used the OGL to create a racist version such as "white skinned races in this setting get a +1 bonus to all ability scores due to superior evolution, and dark-skinned races have a -2 Intelligence penalty..." And I joke not when I refer to a specific product that has been covered on this site which pretty much did this.So, to be able to do this, they're deauthorizing games under 1.0a so no one can continue to create content under it and bypass any restriction on racist stuff that hurts the brand.(2) Waiver of class action & venue clause, auto termination of license. This is standard fare in almost every legal document. I'm frankly shocked it wasn't included originally. It makes up a substantial portion of the document.(3) Virtual Table Top visuals. This is extremely specific. You cannot create a visual of, for example, a magic missile streaking across the map. You can use everything else about it such as text of the spell. This is intended to keep anyone from turning VTTs into video games under the guise of being a "table top" game. Otherwise, VTTs run as normal.THE GOOD STUFF<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Creative Commons license for the core D&D rules (listed specifically by page in the SRD), forever. That's huge. Basically D&D is handing over the reins to the core rules as they currently exist.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Just like before, everything you make under this is yours, always and forever, no royalties or any of that nonsense. 3PP can keep doing what they're doing, so long as it's in the SRD or Creative Commons.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You can use everything in the SRD 5.1, all 400+ pages of elves and magic and so on. This means yes, you can use the term "owlbear" because it's in the SRD, and "magic missile." You cannot use "beholder" because it's specifically designated "product identity" and off limits. You cannot use D&D art and have to draw your own owlbear. Same as always.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">WOTC wants an avenue to shut down anyone using their brand to peddle hateful, racist product. However, see the "ambiguous" line.</li> </ul>THE BAD STUFF<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No more product for prior editions because it's not in the SRD 5.1. The original license was more generic. So, no 3E, 4E. And I get why it might not be popular, but if you're business savvy, WOTC isn't dumb. They want to sell a specific product. If folks are using old 3rd edition books with fresh material from a 3PP, WOTC doesn't make money. That's bad for them. It's not complicated.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They can revise the SRD 5.1 at will (except core rule Creative Commons licensed material, which is being carved out). It's somewhat hidden in parentheses. That's a big deal.  If D&D modifies the SRD for, let's say, version 6E, and 6E no longer has owlbears or magic missiles, you don't have license for those.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you want to litigate, you're in Washington, no jury trial or class action. But this isn't new to the legal world. Nearly everything you sign your name to has such a clause.</li> </ul>THE AMBIGUOUS STUFF<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The "hateful" clause needs fixed. It allows WOTC to shut down your license if it deems your product "hateful" (e.g. racist, discriminatory, illegal). The intent is good. The clause is not. It provides absolutely no recourse for the author, not even legal. Out of all things, this concerns me the most because it is subject to abuse without any chance at review, and it could shut down an entire company.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">You can now add a D&D badge to your product. Good I guess?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Severability clause. This isn't novel and is a part of many legal contracts. Basically WOTC can say if even 1 part of this machine doesn't work, then none of it works and boom, no license. Or they might not.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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