----- Original Message -----
From: "woodelf (lists)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > > Neal Rogers
> > >
> > > Can someone refresh my memory about why this
> > > restriction was included? What about co-adaptability
> > > was seen as a problem for OGL?
> >
> >Because without this clause anyone can say "this product is compatible
with
> >the Dungeons and Dragons(TM) role-playing game",
>
> which, i strongly suspect (based on reading the laws, and looking at
> situations in other markets), you *could* do, if you weren't using
> the WOGL/D20STL.
>
> woodelf <*>
Yes according to existing laws you are 100% allowed to, but then
according to existing laws you are NOT allowed to use all the spells
magic items, monsters etc from the PHB, MM that you ARE
licensed to use under OGL.
Sure without OGL you could say your product is compatable with
D&D, but then you wouldnt be able to include 1/2 the stuff in your
product which you can under OGL. WotC have restricted that
specific law only if you agree to the OGL, you don't have to use
OGL if you don't want that restriction, but then you don't get the
benefits of using OG Licenced content.
If you product is 100% original though and does not use anything
from the PHB etc that you could not use under fair use laws then
I see no reason why you cannot publish it without it been OGL.
Although I'm not sure what restrictions there are on the D20 logo
side of things, you may be able to release your product under the
D20 logo and have nothing to do with the OGL, thus still letting
you reference PHB etc.
Or you could release as under OGL with a single reference
on the front of you product saying "requires Dungeons & Dragons
Players Handbook for use" (or whatever the officially agree words
were, check in the archive on this group for them)
The reason behind this AFAIK is that having people been able
to mention D&D in there OGL products would be seen by WotC
as lowering there sales or potentially making their product look
bad which would lower their sales. How much that would actually
happen I'm not sure. I thought that if they had included something
that said you must say in a more official way than this:-
"this is a 3rd party product under the OGL compatable with D&D
(+trademark explination etc) from WotC, the product is in no
way officially endorsed by WotC, nor representative of their
product quality..."
Ok so that method of saying it sucks, but you should be able to
get my general idea... Wouldnt this then enable you to indicate
compatability thus causing more people to know the standard
gaming system rules and increasing the marked of D&D?
Maybe I'm compleatly wrong? I've not been reading this list
for too long so thats a good possibility :-)
Anyhow anyone comment on whether what I've said is anywhere
near the truth??
bb.
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