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GSL and Supplements

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
603
May 28, 2010 17:14:54 How does the GSL affect supplements, like the Dragonomicons, Open Grave, or the Dragon Annual? Can monsters and stuff from them be used at all with appropriate references if their mechanics aren't reprinted?

For example, if I'm writing a setting, can I mention Orrium Dragons or use one of my own modification (or an unstatted "normal" one with a reference to Dragonomicon: Metallics) as an NPC or Encounter?
#2
The_Jester
May 31, 2010 11:54:36
How does the GSL affect supplements, like the Dragonomicons, Open Grave, or the Dragon Annual? Can monsters and stuff from them be used at all with appropriate references if their mechanics aren't reprinted?

For example, if I'm writing a setting, can I mention Orrium Dragons or use one of my own modification (or an unstatted "normal" one with a reference to Dragonomicon: Metallics) as an NPC or Encounter?

Is it listed in the SRD? If no, then you cannot mention them or offer alternative stats.
www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcom...

Looking through the SRD, the only books allowed are: PHB1, PHB2, DMG1, MM1, MM2, and AV1.

You can neither mention orrium dragons, offer statistics, or even offer variants.
#3
603
May 31, 2010 19:47:57 Wow. Way to stifle creativity.
#4
Webster
May 31, 2010 22:08:43 Actually, it's to encourage creativity. Third party publishers are supposed to make up new material, not leech off every WotC creation.

#5
603
Jun 01, 2010 7:36:34 So what happens if I publish something and then WotC decides to publish something with the exact same name, but different mechanics? WotC can shut me down because I'm suddenly using something they've published that isn't in their SRD. That doesn't encourage creativity at all. Its telling me that I have to use exactly what's in those listed books, nothing more.

That *is* a side-effect of the GSL being written that way, isn't it? Never mind the fact that my earlier original creation's having the same name but different mechanics could "irreparably damage" WotC and result in me losing everything?

Because I sure didn't see a clause saying "If you publish something and then we publish something with the same name, you're still in the clear."
#6
wrecan
Jun 01, 2010 8:56:18 What? No. If you wrote it first, by definition, you cannot be violating their copyright. If anything, if you could show they took your work, you could sue them for copyright infringement!
#7
ascottbay
Jun 01, 2010 16:57:02 Straight from the GSL:

17. Independent Development. Nothing in this License will impair Wizards' right to acquire, license, develop, have others develop for it, market and/or distribute materials or products that contain concepts, storylines, characters, images or other content substantially similar to, or otherwise competing with, Licensed Products.

And from the GSL FAQs:

Q: What happens to original material a third party publisher creates? A 3PP might create an original aspect (Race, Class, Monster, Item, etc) for the game which WotC could later put into a D&D book but not into the SRD. Will that 3PP then be in violation of the GSL?

A: Wizards of the Coast does not wish to cause undue damage to third party publishers that have accepted the GSL and are supporting the 4th Edition of D&D. The GSL allows and assumes that development of original aspects (Race, Class, Monster, Item, etc) may happen separately, but in parallel, with neither party having knowledge of the other’s actions. In the unlikely event that this situation occurs, a publisher can petition for their original work to be entered into the SRD although WotC reserves the right under the license to incorporate its original aspect into the GSL SRD.

I think the only time this saw any practical application was a couple years ago with the "I'm gonna make a GSL barbarian/bard/druid/monk/whatever else was missing at launch" nonsense.

They're pretty much asserting "this is our brand, if you make products for it then you don't conflict with our own products." Your IP is still your own, but if your use of it is incompatible with the GSL then you have to alter it until it is compatible. For example, if you use both the OGL and the GSL then you cannot use the OGL definition of a cleric in a GSL product, because doing so would conflict with the GSL. It's not much different from if your content was sexually explicit; that's not something you can license with the GSL, so you've got to change it or not use the GSL.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 603 May 28, 2010 17:14:54	How does the GSL affect supplements, like the Dragonomicons, Open Grave, or the Dragon Annual? Can monsters and stuff from them be used at all with appropriate references if their mechanics aren't reprinted? For example, if I'm writing a setting, can I mention Orrium Dragons or use one of my own modification (or an unstatted "normal" one with a reference to Dragonomicon: Metallics) as an NPC or Encounter?
#2 The_Jester May 31, 2010 11:54:36	How does the GSL affect supplements, like the Dragonomicons, Open Grave, or the Dragon Annual? Can monsters and stuff from them be used at all with appropriate references if their mechanics aren't reprinted? For example, if I'm writing a setting, can I mention Orrium Dragons or use one of my own modification (or an unstatted "normal" one with a reference to Dragonomicon: Metallics) as an NPC or Encounter? Is it listed in the SRD? If no, then you cannot mention them or offer alternative stats. www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcom... Looking through the SRD, the only books allowed are: PHB1, PHB2, DMG1, MM1, MM2, and AV1. You can neither mention orrium dragons, offer statistics, or even offer variants.
#3 603 May 31, 2010 19:47:57	Wow. Way to stifle creativity.
#4 Webster May 31, 2010 22:08:43	Actually, it's to encourage creativity. Third party publishers are supposed to make up new material, not leech off every WotC creation.
#5 603 Jun 01, 2010 7:36:34	So what happens if I publish something and then WotC decides to publish something with the exact same name, but different mechanics? WotC can shut me down because I'm suddenly using something they've published that isn't in their SRD. That doesn't encourage creativity at all. Its telling me that I have to use exactly what's in those listed books, nothing more. That is a side-effect of the GSL being written that way, isn't it? Never mind the fact that my earlier original creation's having the same name but different mechanics could "irreparably damage" WotC and result in me losing everything? Because I sure didn't see a clause saying "If you publish something and then we publish something with the same name, you're still in the clear."
#6 wrecan Jun 01, 2010 8:56:18	What? No. If you wrote it first, by definition, you cannot be violating their copyright. If anything, if you could show they took your work, you could sue them for copyright infringement!
#7 ascottbay Jun 01, 2010 16:57:02	Straight from the GSL: 17. Independent Development. Nothing in this License will impair Wizards' right to acquire, license, develop, have others develop for it, market and/or distribute materials or products that contain concepts, storylines, characters, images or other content substantially similar to, or otherwise competing with, Licensed Products. And from the GSL FAQs: Q: What happens to original material a third party publisher creates? A 3PP might create an original aspect (Race, Class, Monster, Item, etc) for the game which WotC could later put into a D&D book but not into the SRD. Will that 3PP then be in violation of the GSL? A: Wizards of the Coast does not wish to cause undue damage to third party publishers that have accepted the GSL and are supporting the 4th Edition of D&D. The GSL allows and assumes that development of original aspects (Race, Class, Monster, Item, etc) may happen separately, but in parallel, with neither party having knowledge of the other’s actions. In the unlikely event that this situation occurs, a publisher can petition for their original work to be entered into the SRD although WotC reserves the right under the license to incorporate its original aspect into the GSL SRD. I think the only time this saw any practical application was a couple years ago with the "I'm gonna make a GSL barbarian/bard/druid/monk/whatever else was missing at launch" nonsense. They're pretty much asserting "this is our brand, if you make products for it then you don't conflict with our own products." Your IP is still your own, but if your use of it is incompatible with the GSL then you have to alter it until it is compatible. For example, if you use both the OGL and the GSL then you cannot use the OGL definition of a cleric in a GSL product, because doing so would conflict with the GSL. It's not much different from if your content was sexually explicit; that's not something you can license with the GSL, so you've got to change it or not use the GSL.