----- Original Message -----
From: "Infinite Possibilities" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Open_Gaming] "Open" Debate
> Hello,
>
> Faustus von Goethe wrote:
>
> > It is actually sounding like you want to take/make "open" content
> > and then somehow "close" it for everybody else just because you
> > put in the effort to assemble it. Seems illogical. >
>
> Nope, I have no problem with open material. What i have a problem
> with is people taking the open material, distributing it as if it
> was there own, without any thought of contributing back to the
> community.
Some points regarding this topic:
1. "As if it were their own": The OGL prevents people from
distributing Open Game Content "as if it was their own" because it
requires that all distributions include the appropriate copyright
notices.
2. Contributing to the community: Some members of this list that seem
to think that there is only way to contribute to the Open Gaming
community: release new rules under the OGL. Yes, that is an important
way to contribute, but it is far from the primary way. If no one
publishes adventure material using Open rules, then Open Gaming is
meaningless. In this sense, the people publishing Open rules-based
adventure material are the most important contributors. Even if they
don't create a single new rule.
Eventually, d20 and other Open systems will reach maturity and there
will be good rules covering most of the situations encountered in
roleplaying. When that happens, most people will be creating adventure
material without creating a single new rule. Under some opinions
expressed on this list, we will all be leeches at that point.
3. Profiteering with Open gaming content: A direct consequence of Open
gaming is competition. This applies as much to for-profit products as
it does to the Open rules themselves. Anybody can require payment for
their distribution of Open material, but the only people who make any
money off it, will be those who offer enough added value to attract
customers. The added value may be great packaging and art, it may be
the value of an experienced editor selecting only the best of the Open
material, but unless the added value is there, competition will soon
drive a profiteer out of business.
-kenan
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