From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Brad
Thompson
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 5:22 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [ogf-d20-l] D20 STLG question/errata
<< Since these trademarks are PI according to the D20 STL, I can't use them
at
all without a separate agreement. Is there any legal way around this, or do
I simply have to cut this material from my Preface and move on? Is it
possible and/or desirable that Wizards grant explicit permission for this
type of usage within an D20 STL/OGC document, or is the risk of abuse simply
too great? >>
I suspect you're outa luck. Ryan and Wizards may overrule me, of course, but
here's my reasoning:
1. These items are trademarks, as you say, so you're not allowed under the
OGL to reference them except as granted under a separate license. And the
D20 STL is a separate license, but carefully proscribes what uses are
allowed under it.
2. Wizards COULD grant you a separate license beyond the D20 STL. In fact,
given the amount of effort you've put into promoting OGL, I would be
inclined to grant the license, were I them. But ONLY after reviewing the
material, to see if I felt it did indeed promote sales of Wizards' products
(the only benefit to them). And...
3. Ryan has repeatedly said that they don't want to be in the position of
reviewing materials. I understand a lot of the reasons, but still I am not
sure I agree; but that is indeed their stamce, last I heard.
So I suspect that you'll either have to use a lot of euphemisms, or maybe
post the material on a Web site instead. Or maybe even convert it into a
magazine article and submit it to one of the big game magazines.
Martin L. Shoemaker
Emerald Software, Inc. -- Custom Software and UML Training
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.EmeraldSoftwareInc.com
www.UMLBootCamp.com
