>From: Doug Meerschaert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Curtis Bennett wrote: >>For example, could I create a Shadow Dragon?
>You're asking two questions, really. > >1:) "Can I re-create the 2e Shadow Dragon and release it under the OGL?" >Well, the answer is "maybe." If you want to, go ahead and convert it, send >it to the Creature Catalog if you like, and even slap the OGL on it. No way. The answer is no. You cannot recreate a 2E monster and then release it as OGL. You *can* make a "shadow dragon", but if the specific characteristics of its combat and such show that it is derivative of the 2E shadow dragon, you have committed a copyright violation. You have LEFT the safe harbour. Doug, have you been smoking crack again? You KNOW you can't do this. >Once again, the Safe Harbor keeps you from worrying of WotC will come and >take your house away. All the money and work you've spent on the Shadow >Dragon, sure. But not your house. No, but if someone took your OGC and USED IT in a published product, which they then lost the rights to use because of your irresponsibility, THEY could come and take the house. Please, everyone understand this perfectly clearly: YOU CANNOT BASE ANY WORK OFF OF PRIVATELY HELD IP AND THEN RELEASE IT AS OGC!!! >Just remember--I am not a lawyer, or a game professional. Please >remember this when taking my advice. Sometimes I make sense, sometimes I'm >completely off the wall and give advice that could cause you to lose the >aforementioned house. Nothing personal Doug, man, but this is one of your off-days. >For heaven's sake, get another opinion besides mine! Agreed. >>2:) "Can I create a new 'Shadow Dragon' creature based off of the Dragon >>and the Shadow in the SRD." > >Sure. Don't try and claim the name "Shadow Dragon" as PI or trademark, and >you'll do fine for OGC. The answer is yes, but make sure it does not look TOO MUCH like a 2E Shadow Dragon (and the "too much" line is *really fuzzy*). FOEX if the name were the same AND the breath weapon effects were identical, you have probably crossed the line. Dave _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
