OK I get it. I guess we should assume that the reader knows the rules and
the books anyway. Makes sense to me. I want to avoid any unnecessary legal
wranglings.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin L. Shoemaker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 12:40 AM
Subject: RE: [Open_Gaming] Question about making adventures for D&D
> > Thanks for the assist.
>
> And thank you for not having a knee-jerk reaction to the advice to get a
> lawyer. I'm always afraid I will offend people with that advice; but I
fear
> for people who risk money or time on OGC without the counsel of an
attorney.
>
>
> > Actually, I have read the SRD but I did not see
> > mention of specific things that were OK to reference and which are not.
>
> That's in the STLG, sort of: a list of defined terms which may only be
used
> as defined, and some other restrictions.
>
>
> > For example, let's say I wanted to refer the reader to a specific
> > book, such
> > as "See page 29 of the Dungeon Masters' Guide(tm), published by Wizards
of
> > the Coast..." In your opinion (or anyone else who cares to
> > respond), would
> > that generally fall under the SRD? Based on the published 3rd party
games
> > and supplements that I have seen, it would seem OK, but you never know.
>
> My opinion (only!): there was a lot of discussion and I think a general
> consensus that this violates the trademark restrictions of the OGL.
> According to OGL, trademarks not owned by you may only be used in OGC in
> ways approved in a separate license; and the D20 STL does not license you
to
> refer to the D&D books other than in two phrases:
>
> "Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons(R) Player's Handbook, Third
> Edition, published by Wizards of the Coast(R)"
>
> and:
>
> "Dungeons & Dragons(R) and Wizards of the Coast(R) are Registered
Trademarks
> of Wizards of the Coast, and are used with Permission."
>
> Beyond those two phrases, any mention of the books by name is a violation.
> You can allude to them and use euphemisms, but you cannot name them.
>
> Ryan also expressed concern that the specific page numbers may change in
> future printings. He recommended more general references. Also realize
that
> if it's in the SRD and the SRD ever gets released as OGC, you are free to
> reprint the relevant sections of the SRD.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> 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
>
-------------
For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
