>From: "Faustus von Goethe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>BUT - you know the statement you made below:
>
>>Dunandralis *IS* D&D fan-based material...
>
>Is in *direct* violation of the OGL. The very NAME "Dundralis" (being a
>compilation of their trademark) is a violation unless you have a specific
>trademark license from WotC.
Good point about "D&D fan-based material." Maggie, we've got to figure
something out..
"Dunandralis", though, is an imaginary word. If I were to name a software
company tfosorcim, it's my understanding that I'd get away with it, even
though it's microsoft spelled backwards.
>Under OGL you can *never* say - in advertizing, e-mail, or on your web site
>that you are a D&D based product. The fact that you are doing it now means
>that WotC is "overlooking" that use under the "online use policy". This is
>acceptable under the "online use policy" and you have no problems.
Good point. Drat.
>Once you publish OGL, you will not be able to revoke your OGL status. WotC
>(in the absence of a written trademark license) could choose to continue to
>overlook the use of their trademarks, but (without a written license) THEY
>COULD REVOKE THEM at any time without warning or provocation. THAT would
>have a real impact on your project.
Sure--we'd have 30 days to remove mention of the trademark or get special
permission, or we'd violate the OGL and lose the project.
>If you go OGL, they could force you to change that name (YOUR TRADEMARK)
>and
>to eliminate ALL references to "D&D" in your material, on your website, and
>in your public online discussions of the project.
I'm not that sure about the last one... does the OGL really prohibit
discussion of other folks trademarks? Should it? (I'm not talking about
interviews... I'm talking about the mailing list that's the basis for our
world creation.)
>I'll repeat - there is too much risk, too little flexibility, and too much
>complexity inherent in the OGL compared to the "Online Use Policy" to make
>it rational for a fan-based organization to use the OGL over the "Online
>Use
>Policy".
Hey, cool... we're irrational!
Add that to the inro, Maggie--not only are we flame-war-free, but we're also
irrational! YES!
Seriously, though, it looks like we might have a problem--and I'd *LOVE* to
have an offical word on this.
DM
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