As currently drafted, only those "Restricted Terms and Definitions" (note
that the language should be adjusted in the d20SRD to match the d20STL) that
appear in the Overview of the d20SRD, apply for purposes of fulfilling clause
3.1.3 in the d20STL. Is this correct? There are sections at the heads of
the other chapters which contain "defined" terms, which may lead to
confusion, especially if definitions are repeated in both the overview and
chapter heads. If those "definition" sections in the head of each chapter
are to be considered part of the "Restricted Terms and Definitions" that
needs to be made far clearer in a subsequent draft.
The specific section of the d20SRD Overview I am refering to is this
paragraph:
"In order to comply with the terms of the D20 System Trademark License, you
should consider the
following terms and definitions, in any format or capitalization to be
"DEFINED TERMS" as
described in the D20 System Trademark License. Abbreviations contained in
parenthesis "()" are
also considered DEFINED TERMS. You may not change the definition of these
terms in any way if
you wish to use the D20 System Trademark License. You are not required to
use these terms, and
you may substitute new terms at your discretion."
Suggest you change to:
"In order to comply with the terms of the D20 System Trademark License, you
should consider the following terms and definitions, in any format or
capitalization to be "Restricted Terms and Definitions" as described in the
D20 System Trademark License. Abbreviations contained in parenthesis "()"
are also considered "Restricted Terms and Definitions". You may not change
the definition of these terms in any way if you wish to use the D20 System
Trademark License. You are not required to use these terms, and you may
substitute new terms at your discretion, but then you may not use the D20
System Trademark License."
Also, I would suggest that a note be made that the system preferably be
refered to in print with a lowercase "d" as in d20 System, because that is
what the logo uses. Just an opinion:).
Another suggestion I have is that provision for multiple d20SRDs ("d" :) ) be
incorporated into the d20STL. Currently the d20STL references d20SRDv0.0
throughout. The problem is that even though all the core rulebook d20 System
material might be incorporated, there will doubtless be further additions
made by WotC (one hopes). Do they intend to keep revising the document? or
will supplements be released? I am thinking of say a supplement consisting
of spells and monsters that have appeared in Dragon. Should a d20 publisher
wish to put out a work containing items from that, will Dragon have OGLed
that (necessitating reproducing the OGL each time)? or will such material
some how become part of the d20 System? Will it be non-OGLed until released
as such? Doesn't WotC need to comply with the OGL requirements like anyone
else (ie. reams of legal notices)?
Also, shouldn't clause 6 of the OGL state:
6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion
of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open
Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the
title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name of any original
Open Game Content you Distribute, to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of this license.
instead of its current:
6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion
of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open
Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the
title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT
NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
I think the License should specify the inclusion of a copyright block in the
product clearly designating each copyright rather than have copyrights
incorporated into the license itself, which is marked as Wizards of the
Coast's copyright; unless the intent is to give WotC control over all
material noticed in the license ;).
For example:
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright, 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Open Game Content
"[Insert descriptions here.]" Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
[Etc.]
Open Game Content
"[Insert descriptions here.]" Copyright 2000, [Your name here.]
content designated as Product Identity
"[Insert descriptions here.]" Copyright 2000, [Your name here.]
All other content. Copyright 2000, [Your name here.] All rights reserved.
Lastly, there is an error in 3.4.3 of the D20STL. It reads (error at end):
"3.4.3. If an Electronic Publication cannot reproduce a graphic element (for
example, an ASCII text file), the file must contain the text "This file
contains material based on the D20 System. The D20 System and the D20 System
logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and used under the terms of
the D20 Trademark License."
and should read (change at end):
"3.4.3. If an Electronic Publication cannot reproduce a graphic element (for
example, an ASCII text file), the file must contain the text "This file
contains material based on the D20 System. The D20 System and the D20 System
logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and used under the terms of
the D20 System Trademark License."
-Alex Silva
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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