> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Rory MacLeod
> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 10:08 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [Open_Gaming] Question about making adventures for D&D
>
>
> Does anyone know what sort of rules there are in terms of using the d20
> license with D&D? In other words, what can we use in the
> adventure and what
> can't we use?
>
> Obviously, things like campaign setting names and character names
> are out of
> the question, and we do not plan to use those. But what about names of
> books produced for the D&D game? What about names of skills, spells, or
> feats?
>
> I would appreciate any feedback.
Start by reading the Open Gaming License (OGL):
http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/ogl.html
This will introduce you to the general rights and restrictions for products
released under the OGL. When you have questions (almost inevitable), hire a
lawyer to interpret the OGL for you. You can certainly ask here for some
useful impressions of how some people believe the license works; but before
you risk much time or ANY money, get the opinion of a lawyer whom you are
paying. There is no other way to protect your interests.
Once you're comfortable with the OGL, then read the draft System Trademark
License (STL):
http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/d20stlv2.rtf
This will elaborate the specific licensing terms for using the D20 logo and
related indicia. It will reference the System Trademark Logo Guide (STLG):
http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/d20guide.rtf
This describes what terms may and may not be used and all sorts of other
requirements for using the D20 logo and related indicia. Again, when you
have questions regarding these terms, trust only your own lawyer if you have
anything at risk whatsoever.
Once you are comfortable with both licenses and the guide, then you will
want to investigate the System Reference Document (SRD):
http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd.html
This document -- and ONLY this document -- describes the material covered by
the STL and the STLG. Anything else in any book from Wizards is NOT covered
by the STL and the STLG. Do not assume that just because something is
published, it is covered.
You should also be very aware that, as of this writing (19 March 2001), the
STL and the STLG have NOT been approved and released by Wizards, and the SRD
has NOT been released under the OGL. At this time, if you choose to publish
D20 materials, you do so at your own risk. You are trusting that Wizards
will not decide to cancel the whole program and will not decide to issue
cease-and-desist orders against further distribution of your materials. You
will not be alone in this trust, and I believe it will be hard for them to
do much about materials released with their tacit approval; but I am not a
lawyer, and I am CERTAINLY not YOUR lawyer. Consult your lawyer to determine
whether you consider this risk to be acceptable.
Note finally that the STL and the STLG license ONLY the use of the D20 logo
and related indicia. Once (if) released under the OGL, the SRD may be used
without any restrictions beyond the OGL itself. Only use of the D20 logo and
related indicia will require compliance with the STL.
Martin L. Shoemaker
Martin L. Shoemaker Consulting, Software Design and UML Training
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.MartinLShoemaker.com
http://www.UMLBootCamp.com
-------------
For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
