Edited on December 11, 2007
I have been posting some open game content of the D&D game for quite some time now with the usual nonchalance of the internet user. While I’ve been joking about how having a Cease and Desist letter by Wizards would validate this blog’s existence, I don’t actually want any real beef with anyone. Especially if this blogging gig ever develops in anything.
Furthermore, I will soon start publishing at least one post where I borrow opened and closed contents from d20 publishers. I’ve already asked Monte Cook for a specific case and he gracefully agreed to let me use closed content of his variant Sorcerer class for a post and has kindly instructed me on some Open Gaming Licence legal etiquette (Thank you!!) .
So this means I have to post the Open Gaming Licence and format it in regards to material I use.
And while I’m doing a legal post, I might has well put the blog’s copyright notice in there too.
I don’t expect there’ll be a lot of comments here…
Copyright Notice
All contents of the documents posted by myself on this domain (http://chattydm.net) and subdomains, is copyright 2007 by Philippe-Antoine Ménard. All reference to OGL game mechanics are subjected to the Open Gaming License Version 1.0a and are considered Open Gaming Content.
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (”Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000–2005, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000–2005, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich
Redman, and Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
The Complete Book of Eldritch Might Copyright 2004, Monte J. Cook
Chaositech, Copyright 2003, Monte J. Cook




8 Comments
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Huh?
Welcome…. I guess.
I guess it’s a necessary evil. It certainly his better then having lawyer at your door steps…
This one of things you don’t want to have any contact with in your life…
For sure, lawyers should be avoided as much as possible… Trees too, and tree wielding lawyers.. those are nasty.
Lol…
You do realize that this post is likely to be the one most read by lawyers… I hope they have a sense of humour…:)
I am wondering if Hasbro will pull some tom foolery when 4th Ed. is released.
The jury is still out on that one.
If they pull the plug on the Open Gaming Licence, they’ll have a lot (and I mean a lot) of angry people.
From what I recall reading on Enworld (before I shut down everything 4e, so I can manage my expectations more sanely) the open gaming license will prevail and a 4e version will exist.
The OGL was a boon to Hasbro, hopefully the execs will be bright enough not to touch something successful….
Ahh, I’m such a Naive Optimist sometimes…
The 3.5 OGL will remain in effect, no worries. It will not, however, apply to 4e material.
4e will have its own OGL (and its own SRD), though. This has been explicitly stated. Both the SRD and OGL have been key players in making 3e as big as it is, and they won’t give that up.