Brad Thompson wrote:
> Of special note: The OGL requires that you distribute an exact copy of the
> license with your work. It is implied that such a copy must be in English
> (otherwise it is not an exact copy), and it is always the English version
> that is binding. You may also, at your option, translate the license into
> French as a courtesy to your readers, but you might want to state that the
> French version is not binding.
Given the due respect to these considerations, I think should be understood that
the OGL has been written in English and designed to fit in the US copyright
laws. Other countries could have serious differences in laws so some parts of
the OGL could, in theory, be unenforceable. For example, when I bought my new
computer and looked at the section concerning the manufacturer's civil and penal
liability for potential accidents using this product (I'll call it
'disclaimer'), I noticed with much interest that the manufacturer's liabilities
in the US, in Italy and Germany (for example) were different, more stringent in
Germany and the US, less (unfortunately) in Italy . The manufacturer didn't
think that the US diclaimer had value all over the world and took pains to write
various disclaimers for the various countries its product was exported and sold,
based on local laws. I'm not a lawyer, but I'd be very careful with "It is
implied that such a copy must be in English" and about duties and privileges
given you by US laws that, being not European or national ones, have no legal
value whatsoerver (excluding Universal Copyright Conventions agreements of
course).
Sometimes seems to me that the many Americans think that US laws have value
around the world: I hope this is not the case, for solid and pratical reasons. I
am convinced that the translations and languages issues should have been and
should be now seriously addressed by WotC.
Bye!
Ciro
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