Private d20 Game [Archive] - Wizards Community

Private d20 Game [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The_Great_Igster
02-11-07, 01:50 AM So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript?
spyone
02-11-07, 01:03 PM Need to stick this up front: I'm not a laywer. My advice is just that; advice from some guy you've never met except over the internet.

That said, I'd just proceed.

The real problems are if you are planning to distribute copies. But if this is just for you (and the players you show it to), you're probably fine.

Actually, I would bother to include the OGL, and comply with it. It's one thing to know that your use is within the "fair use" part of copyright law, another entirely to be explaining that to a judge. So, I'm a big fan of playing safe, and that includes using the OGL on anything I make that includes Open Content that is not mine. But I think you're probably safe.

But when you decide it came out Really Cool, and you want to put it up on your website so the whole world can bask in your coolness, .... Yeah, then you'll need that license. ;)
Ranger REG
02-11-07, 09:53 PM So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript?
Depends on your definition of "private use."

By consensus, "private use" is the same as "personal use." You have no intention of distributing your material commercially (or free) in any medium (print or electronic), and access is limited only to your group.

If that's the case, then you don't need any license.
BabbageCliologic
03-05-07, 02:29 AM So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript?

Read and follow the OGL. Reference the DnD PH when necessary. Don't print anything that you don't have rights to (the OGL allows you to reprint specific stuff).

Good luck!

/BC

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The_Great_Igster 02-11-07, 01:50 AM	So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript?
spyone 02-11-07, 01:03 PM	Need to stick this up front: I'm not a laywer. My advice is just that; advice from some guy you've never met except over the internet. That said, I'd just proceed. The real problems are if you are planning to distribute copies. But if this is just for you (and the players you show it to), you're probably fine. Actually, I would bother to include the OGL, and comply with it. It's one thing to know that your use is within the "fair use" part of copyright law, another entirely to be explaining that to a judge. So, I'm a big fan of playing safe, and that includes using the OGL on anything I make that includes Open Content that is not mine. But I think you're probably safe. But when you decide it came out Really Cool, and you want to put it up on your website so the whole world can bask in your coolness, .... Yeah, then you'll need that license. ;)
Ranger REG 02-11-07, 09:53 PM	So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript? Depends on your definition of "private use." By consensus, "private use" is the same as "personal use." You have no intention of distributing your material commercially (or free) in any medium (print or electronic), and access is limited only to your group. If that's the case, then you don't need any license.
BabbageCliologic 03-05-07, 02:29 AM	So I'm looking to write up a d20 game for private use only. I will probably never have it published since the world I am crafting is unique to my imagination. However, I want to use the general d20 rules in my manuscript. Should I go about acquiring some kind of license or copyright material or just proceed with the manuscript? Read and follow the OGL. Reference the DnD PH when necessary. Don't print anything that you don't have rights to (the OGL allows you to reprint specific stuff). Good luck! /BC