PATENTS
COPYRIGHTS
More than likely this means you can build your own Game based on the Game Engine in OD&D but not simply scan the previous into your RULES CYCLOPEDIA. So My new game engine can have a d20 hit roll and saving throw structure, Life Points, Armor Ranks, and the nice selection of character Races like: Human, Fae, or anything else I can now find in the Second Edition WEBSTERS NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY as being a possible Fantasy Race. Slap on some Class Templates Like Bandit or Bounty Hunter, and send these bugs on Adventures in our Campaign world 1066 as the worst kind of Vermin conduct a Beach Landing at night and begin occupying the local communities.
Sorry, I'm new to the lingo, here: what is 'O' D and D?
Old Dungeons and Dragons (refering to the Boxed sets of the early 1980's where Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling were classes in their own right).
Old Dungeons and Dragons (refering to the Boxed sets of the early 1980's where Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling were classes in their own right).
I thought it stood for "original"? Doesn't that make more sense? I mean, 'old' could refer to any edition except for 4th, really. I'm just a whippersnapper though, so what do I know?
As for your uh, 'plan'... If you've already got the books, why would you copy the rules and claim it as your own system when you could just cross out whatever definitions you like and rewrite what you want in there? Or heck, just change the word on your character sheet.
And if you don't have the books... how are you going to copy these rules which you don't have access to?
Basically I'm saying: What on earth are you trying to do?
OD&D refers to original D&D from 1974.
That's what I figured, but I know there are so many online acronyms these days... had to make sure.
Personally, I wouldn't be inclined to think Wizards gives a flying crap about what you would do with the original dungeon master's guide. I mean, those things are older that WotC, itself. I don't know how they would come after you for violating the copyrights of a deceased company like TSR.
While any Patent on the Game Engine created and defined in OD&D may have expired, the Copyright on the Documents have varying dates of Expiry based on Nation still pending.
PATENTS
COPYRIGHTS
More than likely this means you can build your own Game based on the Game Engine in OD&D but not simply scan the previous into your RULES CYCLOPEDIA. So My new game engine can have a d20 hit roll and saving throw structure, Life Points, Armor Ranks, and the nice selection of character Races like: Human, Fae, or anything else I can now find in the Second Edition WEBSTERS NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY as being a possible Fantasy Race. Slap on some Class Templates Like Bandit or Bounty Hunter, and send these bugs on Adventures in our Campaign world 1066 as the worst kind of Vermin conduct a Beach Landing at night and begin occupying the local communities.
Your first half doesn't make sense in the manner that its just a lame idea. Your second half doesn't make sense because I'm not sure your speaking the same language I am after a certain point.
IN THE NAME OF GYGAX HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Gygax, a co-author, may have passed on, but the IP law allow continuation of copyright for his estate's trustee.
Arneson, the other co-author, is still with us.
But there is a way round it: http://www.swordsandwizardry.com/whitebox.htm
And you can buy OD&D online as a pdf too.
He wants to change names then sell it off as his idea.
IN THE NAME OF GYGAX HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Oh yeah, I guess that would be pretty lame. I didn't really read everything he wrote, because I figured he would just go about his business regardless of what answers we gave him. Now that I look at it, though, my ignorance cannot conceal the senseless greed in our midst: kid, really think about what you're doing, only be sure to put on your maturity cap. Time to man up and stop thinking like a crack-addict.
OD&D didn't have a patent....or if it did then whoever accepted that should have been fired on the spot.