OGL Question - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

OGL Question

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
criticalstriker
Apr 09, 2008 22:27:15 Hi, I'm currently writing a rather large project that I call Complete Necromancer (name is still being debated..), but I'm not entirely sure how the open gaming license works.

I don't plan to sell this for profit, only release it on various boards. Because I've never done a project like this, I'm not completely informed about the rules associated with releasing it. People don't (to my knowledge) include the OGL in singular classes, or the like, but would it be required if you release something with a large amount of content?

Thanks in advance for any information given.
#2
draconsnighthawk
Apr 09, 2008 22:32:07 More or less, anything in the SRD is safe to use. Anything not in it, don't even think about using it. However, if your just making a list on Necromancers, I'm not sure how much you could safely use. I'm pretty sure Libris Mortis isn't OGL, so you can't use races, classes, feats spells from there.
#3
criticalstriker
Apr 09, 2008 22:55:50
More or less, anything in the SRD is safe to use. Anything not in it, don't even think about using it. However, if your just making a list on Necromancers, I'm not sure how much you could safely use. I'm pretty sure Libris Mortis isn't OGL, so you can't use races, classes, feats spells from there.

Its not a list of present materials. I'm creating a new necromancy system, not at all including things from books such as libris mortis.

I am making a few PrC's that are meant o be used with present classes, though. For instance, a prestige class that requires a few levels in a psionic class to enter.
#4
mycroftb
Apr 10, 2008 0:47:29 I am not a lawyer, and this is just from what I've been able to understand.

Technically the OGL text is required when publishing any OGL content. And "publish" in this sense also includes posting to an internet forum or website. Just that for small amounts of content some people don't bother to add the license, and WotC's lawyers don't bother to stop it.

It doesn't matter whether you sell your work for profit or not, the OGL allows either. You don't need to ask permission ahead of time, no matter how you publish it. Permission is automatically granted in the license. Just you can't mention trademarks like "Dungeons and Dragons", "d20" (when referring to the d20 system, not the die), "Player's Handbook", "mind flayer", etc. I believe "Designed for the 3.5 edition of the world's most popular roleplaying game" or something to that effect is acceptable and commonly used.

You do have to publish the entire license at the end of your work. The full text can be found here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome (click on Open Gaming License). Just copy and paste it in as-is, with some stuff added to the end. Go ahead and glance over it, it's actually pretty readable.

If you reference the System Reference Document (which you probably will), just add this bit to the end of the license:

System Reference Document. Copyright 2000. Wizards of the Coast, Inc; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

And then you would add your own copyright to the end too. Complete Necromancer. Copyright 2008 Name Of Company; Author Your Name Here (or simply Copyright 2008 Your Name Here).

And that's it. Publish away, for fun and/or profit.
#5
ranger_reg
Apr 10, 2008 18:14:17
Hi, I'm currently writing a rather large project that I call Complete Necromancer (name is still being debated..), but I'm not entirely sure how the open gaming license works.

I don't plan to sell this for profit, only release it on various boards. Because I've never done a project like this, I'm not completely informed about the rules associated with releasing it. People don't (to my knowledge) include the OGL in singular classes, or the like, but would it be required if you release something with a large amount of content?

Thanks in advance for any information given.

If you post here, you should be read the board's policy that anything posted here becomes property of WotC.

Anywhere else, you'll need the OGL. My first and important advice I have for you: Get a Lawyer.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 criticalstriker Apr 09, 2008 22:27:15	Hi, I'm currently writing a rather large project that I call Complete Necromancer (name is still being debated..), but I'm not entirely sure how the open gaming license works. I don't plan to sell this for profit, only release it on various boards. Because I've never done a project like this, I'm not completely informed about the rules associated with releasing it. People don't (to my knowledge) include the OGL in singular classes, or the like, but would it be required if you release something with a large amount of content? Thanks in advance for any information given.
#2 draconsnighthawk Apr 09, 2008 22:32:07	More or less, anything in the SRD is safe to use. Anything not in it, don't even think about using it. However, if your just making a list on Necromancers, I'm not sure how much you could safely use. I'm pretty sure Libris Mortis isn't OGL, so you can't use races, classes, feats spells from there.
#3 criticalstriker Apr 09, 2008 22:55:50	More or less, anything in the SRD is safe to use. Anything not in it, don't even think about using it. However, if your just making a list on Necromancers, I'm not sure how much you could safely use. I'm pretty sure Libris Mortis isn't OGL, so you can't use races, classes, feats spells from there. Its not a list of present materials. I'm creating a new necromancy system, not at all including things from books such as libris mortis. I am making a few PrC's that are meant o be used with present classes, though. For instance, a prestige class that requires a few levels in a psionic class to enter.
#4 mycroftb Apr 10, 2008 0:47:29	I am not a lawyer, and this is just from what I've been able to understand. Technically the OGL text is required when publishing any OGL content. And "publish" in this sense also includes posting to an internet forum or website. Just that for small amounts of content some people don't bother to add the license, and WotC's lawyers don't bother to stop it. It doesn't matter whether you sell your work for profit or not, the OGL allows either. You don't need to ask permission ahead of time, no matter how you publish it. Permission is automatically granted in the license. Just you can't mention trademarks like "Dungeons and Dragons", "d20" (when referring to the d20 system, not the die), "Player's Handbook", "mind flayer", etc. I believe "Designed for the 3.5 edition of the world's most popular roleplaying game" or something to that effect is acceptable and commonly used. You do have to publish the entire license at the end of your work. The full text can be found here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome (click on Open Gaming License). Just copy and paste it in as-is, with some stuff added to the end. Go ahead and glance over it, it's actually pretty readable. If you reference the System Reference Document (which you probably will), just add this bit to the end of the license: System Reference Document. Copyright 2000. Wizards of the Coast, Inc; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. And then you would add your own copyright to the end too. Complete Necromancer. Copyright 2008 Name Of Company; Author Your Name Here (or simply Copyright 2008 Your Name Here). And that's it. Publish away, for fun and/or profit.
#5 ranger_reg Apr 10, 2008 18:14:17	Hi, I'm currently writing a rather large project that I call Complete Necromancer (name is still being debated..), but I'm not entirely sure how the open gaming license works. I don't plan to sell this for profit, only release it on various boards. Because I've never done a project like this, I'm not completely informed about the rules associated with releasing it. People don't (to my knowledge) include the OGL in singular classes, or the like, but would it be required if you release something with a large amount of content? Thanks in advance for any information given. If you post here, you should be read the board's policy that anything posted here becomes property of WotC. Anywhere else, you'll need the OGL. My first and important advice I have for you: Get a Lawyer.