IS this okay? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

IS this okay?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
trappedslider
May 22, 2008 0:55:18 I found this but wasn't sure if it was 100% legal

Its apprently a fully functional RPG that is the v3.5 rules set, with the addition of a character generation system, experience reward system, and character advancement system.
#2
apollyonschosen
May 22, 2008 19:30:12 Why? Who are you, the copyright police?
#3
trappedslider
May 22, 2008 23:14:46
Why? Who are you, the copyright police?

No,I jsut wanna be its okay,before i download it sheesh
#4
Nathreet
May 27, 2008 15:54:39 It contains details on character creation, which isn't allowed (illegal). Though I doubt anyone cares much about something someone uploaded onto some random server. If you already know how to make a character I'd just look at the SRD like www.d20srd.org. It's 100% legal.
#5
TheRealOrion
May 28, 2008 11:14:58 "Illegal" is distinctly different than "copyright violation." One gets you thrown in jail (potentially), the other leaves you open to being sued. We should not conflate the two.
#6
eldermount
May 28, 2008 12:20:25
"Illegal" is distinctly different than "copyright violation." One gets you thrown in jail (potentially), the other leaves you open to being sued. We should not conflate the two.

Copyright violation is still illegal, it is just not criminal (being covered by civil law and not criminal law.)
#7
Balthanon
Jun 01, 2008 7:22:50
Its apprently a fully functional RPG that is the v3.5 rules set, with the addition of a character generation system, experience reward system, and character advancement system.

So long as they aren't using the actual 3.5 systems, I think it may be allowed actually. I believe the assumption is that any open game will just refer people to the players handbook or another WotC d20 product, but that isn't specifically a requirement. They just left those three components out of the SRD.

I know Mutants and Masterminds has variants of those systems and still uses d20.
#8
thalain
Jun 12, 2008 2:19:41 I don't actually see a major problem with his document. The Open Gaming license (which is the one he uses) does not prohibit character generation or advancement rules. Only the D20 trademark license does - but he is carefully avoiding the use of the D20-related trademarks ("compatible with V3.5 SRD") - "V3.5 SRD" is not a D20 trademark.

Also, his character building and experience rules are different than those in the original PHB even though they stay similar. He would probably be better off using a slightly different XP table just to avoid any doubt of copying that one, but otherwise I see very little that could be infringing. In essence, he has augmented the SRD with some open gaming character creation and advancement rules that are similar, but not identical to those used by D&D 3.5 - legal under the OGL. A bit further away from the original and this should be absolutely safe and a good, truly public domain basis for V3.5 play once WotC stops making the needed products.

(I could however imagine WotC releasing the withheld core rules for character generation and advancement into the open in a year or so anyway, considering they'll not be making more money out of V3.x products then)
#9
geekazoid
Jun 15, 2008 19:27:22 The only problem I see is that the name used is very similar to the trademarked Lejendary Adventure.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 trappedslider May 22, 2008 0:55:18	I found this but wasn't sure if it was 100% legal Its apprently a fully functional RPG that is the v3.5 rules set, with the addition of a character generation system, experience reward system, and character advancement system.
#2 apollyonschosen May 22, 2008 19:30:12	Why? Who are you, the copyright police?
#3 trappedslider May 22, 2008 23:14:46	Why? Who are you, the copyright police? No,I jsut wanna be its okay,before i download it sheesh
#4 Nathreet May 27, 2008 15:54:39	It contains details on character creation, which isn't allowed (illegal). Though I doubt anyone cares much about something someone uploaded onto some random server. If you already know how to make a character I'd just look at the SRD like www.d20srd.org. It's 100% legal.
#5 TheRealOrion May 28, 2008 11:14:58	"Illegal" is distinctly different than "copyright violation." One gets you thrown in jail (potentially), the other leaves you open to being sued. We should not conflate the two.
#6 eldermount May 28, 2008 12:20:25	"Illegal" is distinctly different than "copyright violation." One gets you thrown in jail (potentially), the other leaves you open to being sued. We should not conflate the two. Copyright violation is still illegal, it is just not criminal (being covered by civil law and not criminal law.)
#7 Balthanon Jun 01, 2008 7:22:50	Its apprently a fully functional RPG that is the v3.5 rules set, with the addition of a character generation system, experience reward system, and character advancement system. So long as they aren't using the actual 3.5 systems, I think it may be allowed actually. I believe the assumption is that any open game will just refer people to the players handbook or another WotC d20 product, but that isn't specifically a requirement. They just left those three components out of the SRD. I know Mutants and Masterminds has variants of those systems and still uses d20.
#8 thalain Jun 12, 2008 2:19:41	I don't actually see a major problem with his document. The Open Gaming license (which is the one he uses) does not prohibit character generation or advancement rules. Only the D20 trademark license does - but he is carefully avoiding the use of the D20-related trademarks ("compatible with V3.5 SRD") - "V3.5 SRD" is not a D20 trademark. Also, his character building and experience rules are different than those in the original PHB even though they stay similar. He would probably be better off using a slightly different XP table just to avoid any doubt of copying that one, but otherwise I see very little that could be infringing. In essence, he has augmented the SRD with some open gaming character creation and advancement rules that are similar, but not identical to those used by D&D 3.5 - legal under the OGL. A bit further away from the original and this should be absolutely safe and a good, truly public domain basis for V3.5 play once WotC stops making the needed products. (I could however imagine WotC releasing the withheld core rules for character generation and advancement into the open in a year or so anyway, considering they'll not be making more money out of V3.x products then)
#9 geekazoid Jun 15, 2008 19:27:22	The only problem I see is that the name used is very similar to the trademarked Lejendary Adventure.