Copyrights [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Copyrights [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Marvos
06-11-06, 04:46 PM Can anyone provide me with a list of DnD thing that are not copyrighted (ie, not usable under the Open Gaming Liscence)? I'm working on a campaign setting that I hope to one day publish and I want to know what I can use and what I can't.
Tempest Stormwind
06-11-06, 04:53 PM It's called the System Reference Document for a reason. ;)

You can see everything you can use from official WotC books at d20SRD.org. Other books (such as Hyperconcious by Bruce Cordell) are Open Game, but are from third party publishers.
Seeker95
06-11-06, 08:59 PM Everything is copyrighted.
The System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/) (only one of many places to find said document) identifies what you can use. If it isn't there, you can't use it.
Ranger REG
06-11-06, 09:26 PM See My Disclaimer Below...

Can anyone provide me with a list of DnD thing that are not copyrighted (ie, not usable under the Open Gaming Liscence)? I'm working on a campaign setting that I hope to one day publish and I want to know what I can use and what I can't.
Simple. You cannot use or copy the text from WotC's copyrighted books.

IOW, write different version of an ogre, without looking in the Monster Manual.
Marvos
06-11-06, 11:26 PM Thanks!
ORC_Paradox
06-12-06, 12:57 AM If you plan to publish, consult a lawyer.
Zherog
06-12-06, 08:06 AM If you plan to publish, I'd also recommend you use the official SRD (even though it's a pain in the ass).
Sir Elton
06-12-06, 08:32 AM Use the hypertext SRD (http://www.d20srd.org) instead of the RTF SRD. It's much easier to use and includes U.A.

As for consulting a Lawyer, first read the Open Gaming FAQ on the d20 system page, then consult a lawyer. As of now, it's best to use the SRD if you don't want to spend the time contacting other companies if you can use their spell names or monster names (Monte Cook is nice enough to grant permission on using his IP associated with his OGC if you ask him).
Zherog
06-12-06, 10:17 AM I agree the hypertext version is easier to read. I basically said as much when I said using the official one was a pain in the ass.

That said, I still recommend people who are interested in publishing use the official SRD - which means using the RTF version. For one example as to why, I've seen hypertext SRDs that include content from the website - even though that content isn't Open Game Content. No, I can't show you a link, because I forget which SRD it was. And even if I remembered, it's likely my employer blocks it. :nonono:

By using the RTF version of the SRD, you are ensuring you use the material WotC intended for release.
Millennium
06-12-06, 02:55 PM It's a common misconception that the SRD (and other "open-source" stuff) isn't copyrighted. In fact, the SRD is copyrighted, as is almost all other open-source stuff (excluding stuff which is in the public domain, but that's something different entirely). Open licenses like the OGL allows you to use the licensed stuff in your own work, even though it is copyrighted, as long as you abide by certain conditions.

In D&D's case, the basic situation boils down to this: you can use anything that's in the SRD, you can't use anything that isn't in the SRD, and you have to keep your readers notified of exactly what open content you used (for example, by writing your own SRD). If you want to use the d20 System logo, there are some additional restrictions: in particular, you can't write your own chapters about creating a character or applying XP to a character (and therefore, your d20-based RPG must depend on the PHB). The whole deal is considerably more complex than this, so you need to read the whole thing to be absolutely sure you're in compliance, but this covers the basics.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Marvos 06-11-06, 04:46 PM	Can anyone provide me with a list of DnD thing that are not copyrighted (ie, not usable under the Open Gaming Liscence)? I'm working on a campaign setting that I hope to one day publish and I want to know what I can use and what I can't.
Tempest Stormwind 06-11-06, 04:53 PM	It's called the System Reference Document for a reason. ;) You can see everything you can use from official WotC books at d20SRD.org. Other books (such as Hyperconcious by Bruce Cordell) are Open Game, but are from third party publishers.
Seeker95 06-11-06, 08:59 PM	Everything is copyrighted. The System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/) (only one of many places to find said document) identifies what you can use. If it isn't there, you can't use it.
Ranger REG 06-11-06, 09:26 PM	See My Disclaimer Below... Can anyone provide me with a list of DnD thing that are not copyrighted (ie, not usable under the Open Gaming Liscence)? I'm working on a campaign setting that I hope to one day publish and I want to know what I can use and what I can't. Simple. You cannot use or copy the text from WotC's copyrighted books. IOW, write different version of an ogre, without looking in the Monster Manual.
Marvos 06-11-06, 11:26 PM	Thanks!
ORC_Paradox 06-12-06, 12:57 AM	If you plan to publish, consult a lawyer.
Zherog 06-12-06, 08:06 AM	If you plan to publish, I'd also recommend you use the official SRD (even though it's a pain in the ass).
Sir Elton 06-12-06, 08:32 AM	Use the hypertext SRD (http://www.d20srd.org) instead of the RTF SRD. It's much easier to use and includes U.A. As for consulting a Lawyer, first read the Open Gaming FAQ on the d20 system page, then consult a lawyer. As of now, it's best to use the SRD if you don't want to spend the time contacting other companies if you can use their spell names or monster names (Monte Cook is nice enough to grant permission on using his IP associated with his OGC if you ask him).
Zherog 06-12-06, 10:17 AM	I agree the hypertext version is easier to read. I basically said as much when I said using the official one was a pain in the ass. That said, I still recommend people who are interested in publishing use the official SRD - which means using the RTF version. For one example as to why, I've seen hypertext SRDs that include content from the website - even though that content isn't Open Game Content. No, I can't show you a link, because I forget which SRD it was. And even if I remembered, it's likely my employer blocks it. :nonono: By using the RTF version of the SRD, you are ensuring you use the material WotC intended for release.
Millennium 06-12-06, 02:55 PM	It's a common misconception that the SRD (and other "open-source" stuff) isn't copyrighted. In fact, the SRD is copyrighted, as is almost all other open-source stuff (excluding stuff which is in the public domain, but that's something different entirely). Open licenses like the OGL allows you to use the licensed stuff in your own work, even though it is copyrighted, as long as you abide by certain conditions. In D&D's case, the basic situation boils down to this: you can use anything that's in the SRD, you can't use anything that isn't in the SRD, and you have to keep your readers notified of exactly what open content you used (for example, by writing your own SRD). If you want to use the d20 System logo, there are some additional restrictions: in particular, you can't write your own chapters about creating a character or applying XP to a character (and therefore, your d20-based RPG must depend on the PHB). The whole deal is considerably more complex than this, so you need to read the whole thing to be absolutely sure you're in compliance, but this covers the basics.