> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of dema
> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2001 11:16 PM
> To: Open Gaming Foundation
> Subject: [Open_Gaming] web site content
>
>
> Hello, I'm new and have looked over the OGL and the SRD. As far as I can
> read, the charater creation and xp advancement rules are not to go in any
> document labeled as a d20 system product. Is that right?
You've got the basics, but there's a lot more than that.
After reading the OGL, if you have questions about what is permitted (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
The OGL alone is not enough if you're creating and distributing D20
material; you have to understand the STL as well. 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.
> I am also wondering if i can include reference and mods to classes and
> spells from books other than the core 3.
> examples might be monsters or faerun, sword and fist. Can I include
> references and possible stat blocks for NPC monsters that exist in my
> campaign world that were taken from the Forgotten Realms setting? As I
> understand those creatures are most likly protected, but they are also
> published as D20 so are they fair game to include in a document (website.)
Once you are comfortable with both licenses and the guide, then you will
want to return to the SRD. 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. The D20 label on a book
from Wizards does NOT mean it is "fair game". Wizards may use their own
trademarks as they see fit, without any obligation to comply with separate
licenses. For that matter, the D20 label on any OTHER company's product only
means that the Open Gaming Content within that product is available for your
use. Product Identity is still closed.
You should also be very aware that, as of this writing (26 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
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
