retired modules [Archive] - Wizards Community

retired modules [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
sirdank
12-16-04, 04:46 PM I am new to the living greyhawk world and wondering if you can play expired modules. I know these would not count, but was wondering if it was possible to play these just for fun for home games. If so where would I find these expired modules? Thanks.
kenobi65
12-16-04, 05:00 PM (I swear, I should save the text of this, so I can copy and paste it, since this gets asked so often.)

Short answer: no.

Longish answer: Living Greyhawk modules, like most RPGA modules, are specifically distributed for use during RPGA events. There's a copyright notice on the cover page of every RPGA module that spells this out, and indicates that any other use is prohibited. This means that, if you received a copy of an LG module to run at an RPGA event, you're not allowed to (a) run it again in a non-RPGA setting, or (b) redistribute the module.

When LG modules are retired, they're removed from the database, and can't be distributed in any other way. So, if you find someone willing to give you a copy of an old module, be aware that he's breaking copyright law in doing so.

The reason for all this goes back to the contracts that RPGA has had their module authors sign. These contracts did not allow the RPGA to distribute the modules beyond "RPGA tournament use." As I understand it, recently, the RPGA changed these contracts, and once an LG module retires, the rights to the module revert to the author (although said author would need to remove any RPGA / WotC intellectual property from the module before he could redistribute it). However, modules written under this new contract won't be retiring for a while yet.
sirdank
12-16-04, 09:22 PM Thanks Kenobi, I looked around for this question on the board and didn't see anything so sorry if its repetitive for ya.
kenobi65
12-17-04, 01:00 AM Not a problem, though, between this board and the general RPGA board, it does get asked at least once a month. You'd *think* that someone in charge would put that question and answer someplace easily accessible. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
sirdank 12-16-04, 04:46 PM	I am new to the living greyhawk world and wondering if you can play expired modules. I know these would not count, but was wondering if it was possible to play these just for fun for home games. If so where would I find these expired modules? Thanks.
kenobi65 12-16-04, 05:00 PM	(I swear, I should save the text of this, so I can copy and paste it, since this gets asked so often.) Short answer: no. Longish answer: Living Greyhawk modules, like most RPGA modules, are specifically distributed for use during RPGA events. There's a copyright notice on the cover page of every RPGA module that spells this out, and indicates that any other use is prohibited. This means that, if you received a copy of an LG module to run at an RPGA event, you're not allowed to (a) run it again in a non-RPGA setting, or (b) redistribute the module. When LG modules are retired, they're removed from the database, and can't be distributed in any other way. So, if you find someone willing to give you a copy of an old module, be aware that he's breaking copyright law in doing so. The reason for all this goes back to the contracts that RPGA has had their module authors sign. These contracts did not allow the RPGA to distribute the modules beyond "RPGA tournament use." As I understand it, recently, the RPGA changed these contracts, and once an LG module retires, the rights to the module revert to the author (although said author would need to remove any RPGA / WotC intellectual property from the module before he could redistribute it). However, modules written under this new contract won't be retiring for a while yet.
sirdank 12-16-04, 09:22 PM	Thanks Kenobi, I looked around for this question on the board and didn't see anything so sorry if its repetitive for ya.
kenobi65 12-17-04, 01:00 AM	Not a problem, though, between this board and the general RPGA board, it does get asked at least once a month. You'd think that someone in charge would put that question and answer someplace easily accessible. :)