> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Doug > Meerschaert > Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 12:04 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [Ogf-l] If Thoughts Could Kill - Illithid reference > violation? > > >Actually, I believe it IS a clever observation AND a good rule of thumb, > >ESPECIALLY if you have the MM to back it up. But it's not supported by the > >SRD; and the SRD and prior art are the only sources I would dare use to > >prove an illustration was NOT improperly derivative of Wizards' copyrights. > > > Cold fact time, then. > > I don't know about you, but if WotC comes knocking on my door saying > "please don't do that grey-area thing" I'll say "oops, sorry, here's how > I'll fix it will that be all right with you."
Exactly proper under the OGL, of course. > On the other hand, in the rare instance that someone says "your > mind-flayer as a shapechaning elf is too close to an Illithid because > Abberations aren't humanoid at all" the rule of thumb will be part of > the rebuttal that says "are you really sure about that Mr. lawyer sir?" Such a lawyerly approach on their part would be foolish, because then you could cite the MM as proof that, yes, some Aberrations ARE humanoid -- including, oh, say, the Mind Flayer. Mind Flayers as shape-changing elves would almost have to be well outside of Wizards' IP, UNLESS their society was very much like Illithid society AND their preferred form was as squid-headed humanoids. Then you're getting a lot closer to the Grey Area. (I have got to add a Grey Area to my campaign, a place where nothing is quite certain and the slightest misstep can land you in trouble. It will be right outside Safe Harbor.) Martin L. Shoemaker Martin L. Shoemaker Consulting, Software Design and UML Training [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.MartinLShoemaker.com http://www.UMLBootCamp.com _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
