From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Leo Simons
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 2:49 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Open_Gaming] RE: How did Star wars do it?
<< It was my understanding that the d20 logo rights are/should be
owned by the OGF (where WOTC would donate them to the foundation). >>
Sorry, but that's a misunderstanding. The OGL may become the property of the
Foundation some day. As currenrly posted, though, it is still property of
Wizards.
But as for the D20 logo, that is and shall ever remain the property of
Wizards (or their heirs and assigns, if I'm not misusing the legal
terminology here). The only "donation" per se is the D20 System Trademark
License, a relatively generous license that allows you to use their logo if
you comply with its terms. The OGL is the mechanism which allows the use of
the material that goes with the license. It also explicitly precludes using
the logo UNLESS you have a separate agreement (most likely, the D20 STL).
<< If it does, that would mean that WOTC would grant the OGF the
right to sub-license the logo in some way, right? >>
Nope. Wizards will not grant the OGF ANY such rights. There is a very
distinct line between Wizards, the OGF, and you.
At some point (we hope), the OGF will release the System Reference Document
under the OGL. That will NOT be the D20 system, merely "the system" (name
not yet determined, last time I looked). The SRD will include the OGL,
allowing you to reuse the material therein under its terms. But this
agreement between the OGF and you will NOT grant you any rights to the D20
logo.
And at some point (again, we hope), Wizards will release the D20 System
Trademark License. Should you accept it, this will be an agreement between
Wizards and you, allowing you to use their logo under certain conditions.
But note how there is NO agreement here between Wizards and the OGF. Nor is
one needed. The OGL was carefully crafted SPECIFICALLY to create this
situation: the rules are open, but the logo is closed (with fairly generous
licensing terms).
<< If so, I think
everyone producing OGL content has a right to know >>
Most everyone doing so now already knows. But there are new folks involved
every day, so we have to keep instructing.
<< as it could
be possible for the d20 logo to become unavailable because of
a fault on the part of the OGF or a change of strategy at WOTC. >>
Absolutely! There's a risk. And so far, half a dozen companies or so have
accepted the risk that comes with the opportunities. And so far, they've all
sounded pretty happy with the resulting sales and good PR. But they have all
done so knowing the whole thing could collapse at some point. Under current
Wizards management, I think the risk is low. Who knows what the future
holds? But risk is part of any business or creative endeavor.
<< This would explain why they can include the logo. Still, in the
light of future developments, this isn't cool. >>
Define "cool." Is it cool to have a chance -- any chance at all -- to make
D20-compatible games? Sword & Sorcery, Nightshift, Atlas, and Green Ronin
(among others) seem to think so.
Martin L. Shoemaker
Emerald Software, Inc. -- Custom Software and UML Training
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.EmeraldSoftwareInc.com
www.UMLBootCamp.com
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