Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Dgavisk87 Sep 03, 2014 3:28:02	If you were to want to get something published for 5th edition how would you go about doing it? Is there an open game license to where I would just make the product compatible and publish it myself? Do I have to submit it to WoTC?? Any information would be appreciated thank you
#2 Thank_Dog Sep 03, 2014 3:37:54	From what we've seen so far, it seems as if WotC have made some sort of publishing arrangement with already established third-party publishers. What those deals are is anyone's guess, but given that there isn't anything publically available to tell us otherwise, I'd assume that it isn't open slather to do whatever you want.   Then again, Frog God Games has a Kickstarter which I'm not sure on whether or not it's "authorised" so... who knows?
#3 ChrisTheS Sep 03, 2014 8:20:46	You can theoretically make 5e (and 4e) compatible products using the 3e OGL/SRD, since the core system is basically the same and actual game mechanics and common-usage terminology can't be copyrighted (WotC doesn't have rights to the word 'advantage,' even used in the context that 5e uses it, for instance).  You can't identify it directly as being a 5e product, but there are ways around that (the standard being "Compatible with the xth edition of the world's most popular role playing game").   There probably will be an official license eventually, but who knows how long it could take, if the 4e license is anything to go by.
#4 The_Jester Sep 03, 2014 9:31:23	As mentioned, you can use the OGL, but this is tricky and requires some knowledge of what you can say and what you have to avoid, plus trademarking and trade dress issues.   Otherwise it's technically illegal.  If you're giving it away free then WotC is *unlikely* to come after you, though. Selling is another issue.
#5 Polaris Sep 03, 2014 10:43:58	The_Jester wrote:
#6 Dracones Sep 03, 2014 12:47:11	Dgavisk87 wrote:
#7 The_Jester Sep 03, 2014 15:00:31	Polaris wrote:
#8 Mistwell Sep 03, 2014 15:06:42	I would contact WOTC and ask them how you can get a license. If you're going to do it using an older license, I would strongly recommend getting an attorney to advise you on how to properly do that.  If you look at those companies who have put out material for 5e, they are had a license, or have consulted an attorney (and sometimes have in-house council).
#9 Dgavisk87 Sep 03, 2014 16:01:16	how do i contact wotc??
#10 Mistwell Sep 03, 2014 16:23:33	Dgavisk87 wrote:
#11 Bud_the_CHUD Sep 03, 2014 17:37:20	But if Mearl's legal advice is the same as his rules Q&As on his Twitter, expect it to be "DM's call."   Yeah, while you have Kobold making officially licensed Next products, on the other end you have Goodman Games with their "Fifth Edition Fantasy" series of adventures, and they're just using the OGL to get around license issues.
#12 DavidArgall Sep 04, 2014 17:15:36	The lack of any license to date is a bad sign and you should assume WOTC is not going to allow whatever you want to do.  Of course they do not want to use a $1000 a day lawyer to stop a $1 "infringement". but that is the way they will look.  Don't put much effort into this before accepting there is no money in it, or you have clear permission from WOTC.