In a message dated 1/21/02 9:14:41 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Based on your comments, I'm very curious to see the derivative works language in the Action language Mark. In fact, I'm very curious about the license in general. When do you think you'll be releasing it? >> I don't know when it will be released. And for the record I don't know if it will be significantly less complex than the OGL. That's the nature of the beast when it comes to legal language; complexity is sometimes necessary. As for the derivative works language, it seems logical and reasonable to have both parties agree that any new rules created as a Variant to or Extension of the Action! System core rules become part of the greater collection of "Action! System rules." But I can't see us asserting that someone's original art based on some descriptive text would be "derivative' and thus wholly owned by GRG. (If that were the case, I think Warner/DC would be cracking down on folks who are making money selling original works depicting characters such as Batman or the Jsutice League at cons and art shows, or Paramount on those selling original paintings and lithographs of Star Trek characters, etc. But jsut to be clear, I am NOT an attorney) My comments about the OGL seeming unneceddarily complex are based, in large part, on WotC's decision to omit some very major components of the d20 system-- character creation and advancement/improvement. The whole OGC & PI thing is fine, IMO. But your assertions that any art based on OGC description is itself "derivative" and thus OGC strikes me as...inaccurate. In addition, any license that results in dozens of people on a regular basis posting questions akin to "I want to do XYZ, but not C, but a little bit of D and E, except on Tuesday, and it uses two words of text from OGC that appeared in a product published in Peru... can I do that?" is unnecessarily complex. I have reviewed the OGL and I have had an attorney review the OGL. On the surface it is pretty straight forward, but it creates complex situations that require legal review. Unfortunately, that is something that (apparently) the vast majority of people on this list DON'T obtain. Instead, they post questions here hping you will answer them and they put more credence in your opinions than they do a practicing attorney's. That is dangerous, foolish, and very naive. I also think that to encourage such behavior is needlessly irresponsible. Will the Action! System license be simpler than WotC's OGL? I don't know for certain. That is our intent and our goal. Will it be less restrivtive than the OGL? In some ways no; in most ways yes. Will we allow folks to use *all* of our rules if they so choose? Yes. Do I think that's an advantage over the OGL? Absolutely, without a doubt yes. Do we intend the Action! System to "compete" with the d20 system? No, not in the way you are probably thinking. Why should we try to compete head-to-head with the game system that has the largest "network" of players? Action! System will be an alternative to the d20 System, to be sure. Mark Arsenault President, Gold Rush Games | http://www.goldrushgames.com Executive Director, Game Publishers Association | http://www.thegpa.org ------------------------------------------------------- Action! System Beta rules! - http://www.action-system.com _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
