From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Brad
Thompson
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 1:16 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [ogf-d20-l] Can 'd20' be severed from 'D20 System'?
<< The trademark 'D20 System' appears frequently, but in our common
discussion
we are using 'd20' to refer to a great deal of this material. Does WotC
have an official opinion on the colloquial term 'd20' as it pertains to your
registered mark "D20 System"? Is 'd20' (and the nomenclature for other die
rolls such as d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 & d100), such a common term in the
industry that it cannot be a trademark on its own? >>
In my understanding, "D20 System" and the D20 System Logo are what are
claimed as trademarks. I can't see any chance of "D20" becoming a trademark,
since it exists in so many preexisting games from so many places.
The common usage of "D20" as shorthand for "D20 System" is understandable.
But anyone who commits their work to print had better use the proper
trademark.
<< More directly, you have indicated that if industry wants to come up with
a
nomenclature that describes products derived from the D20 System Reference
Document which do not also subscribe to the D20 STLG, they could do so, but
WotC isn't going to do it for them. If industry adopts the term 'd20'(sans
Logo) as this unofficial term and used it to brand Interactive Game software
or rules which describe Character Creation or Applying the effects of
Experience to a Character, would WotC see that as a threat, and move to
block it? What about similar marks such as "d20-xml?" >>
I can't speak for Wizards; but were I them, I would absolutely object.
Trademark law is supposed to protect you from confusion of your mark. This
is EXTREMELY likely to cause confusion. If this became the commonly accepted
term, there would be zilch reason for anybody to comply with the D20 STL:
you can get almost the same marketing benefits from simply saying "A D20
Game" on your cover, maybe with D20 in black over a red bos saying "GAME".
Then they can throw in character creation and level effects rules, and make
a product that detracts from PHB sales. It would not be smart for Wizards to
allow this.
<< If there are no objections, I move that 'd20' be used as the general
nomenclature for material derived from the D20 System Reference Document (or
whatever it's final title) which does not also subscribe to the D20 System
Trademark Logo Agreement and D20 System Trademark Logo Guide. >>
Let's discuss some alternatives. I throw the following top-of-the-head ideas
on the table:
* Icosahedron Games.
* Twenty-Sided Games.
* Score Games.
Martin L. Shoemaker
Emerald Software, Inc. -- Custom Software and UML Training
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.EmeraldSoftwareInc.com
www.UMLBootCamp.com
