On 21 Aug 2002, William scribbled a note about RE: [Ogf-l] Publishing under the OG:
> Now you're just making this stuff up.
>
Who me?
> The OGL while certainly owned by Wizards does not have any provisions
> in it that allow Wizards to get around it. The D20STL does but that is
> a trademark and very different.
>
To put it as simply as I possibly can. WOTC owns the IP. THey
can do whatever they want with it, period end of story. They own
the license, they are NOT licensing themselves to use the SRD, if
they did, then they would have to follow the OGL. They do NOT
have to use a license that they also created and own It is there
solely for other people to use THEIR stuff without having to secure
permission on an individual basis. Certain other parties have
approached them and requested permission to use a license other
than the one freely available. By doing so none of their stuff is OGC
(unless they use something that is already OGC).
Let me try to put it into a picture for you (kinda like a ladder-type
thing)
-- WOTC (can use whatever they want of their own stuff)
| |
| |_ Kenzer (can use what their license says they can)
|
|_OGL (the free license and the SRD)
| |
| |_ALL d20 Publishers (use both the OGL and d20 STL)
|
|_ All OGL Publishers (use only the OGL, but not the d20 logo)
I believe that the word inheritance was mentioned in an earlier
post. This is a prime example of that. Certain things inherent things
from its parent, but the parent item is NOT the same as the child
item, and may work differently.
If you are still having problems, then I suggest you consult a
copyright lawyer. I am sure he can explain the fine distinctions a
whole lot better than I can.
> Example:
> I make my very own game. "Flip-a-Coin"(TM). I publish it as is. Yay
> me! I then take "Flip-A-Coin" and release it under the OGL because I
> like to share my success with the world. I then license a 3rd party to
> create a world compatible with the original "Flip-A-Coin" game.
>
> By the logic you're using, it would be impossible because "I'm not
> wizards". From the view of the OGL there is no distinction between
> rules and fluff.. it's OGC and PI. Since I released the whole of
> "Flip-A-coin" as OGC then even if its derivative of the Non-OGC
> "Flip-A-Coin" it still HAS to have an OGL attached. From the
> perspective of the OGL there is no difference between a Racial
> description and an entire game.
I never said that. In fact, I pointed out that that the example that AV
replied to said that everything had been released under the OGL.
To me, that means no PI in the product s all, and that every bit of
flavor text was released as open content.
It actually depends on exactly what you release as OGC. If you
release every word of it as OGC, then you will run into the
problems....
If you derive something from the SRD, it must remain open, and
you cannot attach any other licenses or such to it. If it is derived
from another source (your own mind), then you do not have to
release it as as OGC, and can use it elsewhere...
Please note, that the example about a race was NOT a good
example. here is what is in the SRD about Elves
*******************************************
Elves
+2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution.
Mediumsize.
Elvenbase speed is 30 feet.
Immunityto magic sleep spells and effects.
+2 racial saving throw bonus against Enchantment spells or effects.
Low-lightVision: Elves can see twice as far as a human in starlight,
moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination.
They retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these
conditions.
Proficientwith either longsword or rapier; proficient with shortbow,
longbow, composite longbow, and composite shortbow.
+2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. An elf who
merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled
to a Search check to notice it as if she were actively looking for the
door.
AutomaticLanguages: Common and Elven.
BonusLanguages: Draconic, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Orc, and
Sylvan.
FavoredClass: Wizard.
******************************
You will notice that there is not one single word that gives a physical or
cultural description. Those are not part of it. The name Elf (pl. Elves) is
part of public domain and can be used by anybody. Your description of
them does not have to be OGC, even if you publish a d20 book about
them. So if that is not made OGC, then you can put it in a book with
another system.
But, if you make that description OGC, then you will breach the the
OGL by putting it a book with another system without keeping it OGC.
When you make it OGC, you are giving up certain rights to it in
exchange for the ability to use somebody else's system (WOTC's). If
you want to keep it for other use, then do not release it as OGC.....
TANSTAAFL
Rasyr (Tim Dugger)
System Editor
Iron Crown Enterprises
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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