On 1 Aug 2000, Doug Meerschaert wrote:
> "Faustus von Goethe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > So... I can't use the word "Dungeon" in OGL materiel? Looks like I won't
> > be siging up for OGL...
>
> Drat, that's a good question.
>
> Can someone (Clark? Ryan?) answer this? If a trademark referrs to a common
> term (Dungeon, Dragon, etc.) does the proposed change prohibit us using it?
I've said this before, but here it is again. A word or phrase is not a
trademark by itself. A trademark refers to more than simply the word or
phrase being used. No one can prevent you from use a word in its normal
usage no matter what trademark they may hold on the word. They can only
prevent you from using the word in a manner that infringes on their
trademark. In the above cases, I would assume the trademarks are
concerning the magazine publications. So when you use the words
"dungeon" to refer to an underground fortress/cell/prison or "dragon" to
refer to a mystical flying lizard like creature you are not using WotC's
trademark and the clause doesn't apply.
alec
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