| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| #1shurijoJul 10, 2009 14:34:21 | I've read through the GSL documents and followed the rules as written. I just want to make sure that everything is okay. Step 1> Fill out SOA and mail it to WOTC Step 2> Write material using citation/copyright rules Step 3> Include legal text and GSL logo as required Step 4> Publish? Question 1: Review Is there any WOTC review required or optionally possible? I'd love for someone at WOTC to give me a thumbs up/down on the finished product to make sure I followed all of the rules. Question 2: SOA response Do I need to wait for a SOA response before I can publish/release my material? Question 3: CC license I've seen other works (show in sticky thread here) that are GSL approved and under the CC license. Is there any conflicts between CC and GSL that I need to be aware of, if I plan on using the CC license? Question 4: Section 4.2 compliance Also, one of the rules (section 4.2) states that the GSL logo must be on the last page of electronic material, but nearly all of the examples (sticky thread) aren't following this rule. All of them have the logo somewhere (cover, legal page, etc.), but it's not on the last page. I know there's no such thing as relaxed legal rules, but its odd that the example products highlighted on this forum isn't following this simple rule (compared to other stuff, this is an very easy thing to fix). I'm following this rule, but it strikes me odd that examples aren't following it. Question 5: After published Do I (or publisher) just post a message here/sticky thread about the release of the product or is there an official channel to keep track of publications? |
| #2fatumd20Jul 10, 2009 19:59:23 | To start, I am not a lawyer. These are only my opinion of how I understand the GSL.Question 1: Review There is no review required by WotC. As for optional review, I do not believe they do this either. The amount of 3PP products that are and will be released is too much for WotC to try and filter themselves. [b]Question 2: SOA response No. WotC will not send you a response if you are approved. The only time WotC will send you a response is when you are denied. So hope you don't get anything! [b]Question 3: CC license As far as I understand it, your IP can be CC. WotC's IP is not. So if it is in the SRD, it does not fall under CC license. [b]Question 4: Section 4.2 compliance Electronic products, per 4.2 are suppose to have it on the last page. Why did they not do it? Don't know. I would say don't worry about them and just follow the GSL. [b]Question 5: After published You don't have to post a message if you don't want to and there is no official tracking that WotC that I know of. However, posting here would certainly help get the word out about your product. |
| #3NylanfsJul 11, 2009 20:47:39 | You don't have to post a message if you don't want to and there is no official tracking that WotC that I know of. However, posting here would certainly help get the word out about your product. Plus on ENWorld's 4e sources thread. |
| #4ascottbayJul 11, 2009 21:32:55 | Question 1: Review The end of page 4 of the GSL FAQs asks the question "Q: Can a publisher request a review of the product from WotC to make sure it conforms to the GSL?" and the answer on the next page is "no." Question 4: Section 4.2 compliance I've also noticed this. I intend to follow the GSL, but if you want to make a web freebie of a single feat, power, or simple monster, then it seems to me you could make a single-page PDF, with the bottom third of the page containing the logo. Previews and printouts might look a little more impressive that way, but it's harder to make an interesting and concise mechanic fit on that page (and the required legal text, minimum size 10pt, will also take up space). Hope this helps! |
| #5fatumd20Jul 12, 2009 8:57:12 | Plus on ENWorld's 4e sources thread. Oh yeah, there too. How did I forget that? *faceplam* |
| #6shurijoJul 13, 2009 12:40:21 | Thanks for all the feedback. |
| #7WotC_ScottRJul 13, 2009 17:03:11 | I've read through the GSL documents and followed the rules as written. I just want to make sure that everything is okay. Due to the volume of 3PP works we don't review manuscriptrs or provide legal advice on compliance. Question 2: SOA response We don't send SOA confirmations but you can always ask us to see if we got it. Question 4: Section 4.2 compliance The logo should be on the last page of the file as per the license. Many publishers advertise the GSL logo on their web site listings to show compatibility which may appear to be non-compliance but is in fact allowed under the marketing provision. The key is where it falls on the actual product Question 5: After published You can send me a note via PM and we'll add you to our publishing partners page. There are also a number of threads tracking publishers and publications on this page and at ENworld |
| #8vebrandssonJul 17, 2009 19:37:06 | Well no need to waste a good thread, I'll add some questions of my own even if they are unrelated to the OP's questions. What are the rules regarding TSR products? More specifically should I wish to use the name of a spell or effect from a TSR product for a 4th edition player power or monster ability or ritual (regardless if the mechanical effects are similar or not) can I? And what permissions would I need to acquire? Also, if I wanted to reference an NPC figure from a setting neutral (i.e. not part of forgotten realms or any other published setting) TSR source can I? And again what permissions would I need to acquire? |
| #9kythriJul 18, 2009 12:49:36 | Well no need to waste a good thread, I'll add some questions of my own even if they are unrelated to the OP's questions. The GSL is not a license to use old product. More specifically should I wish to use the name of a spell or effect from a TSR product for a 4th edition player power or monster ability or ritual (regardless if the mechanical effects are similar or not) can I? And what permissions would I need to acquire? If it's copyrighted, you'd need to license it specifically, outside of the GSL process. |
| #10vebrandssonJul 18, 2009 13:52:28 | The GSL is not a license to use old product. This is slightly what I expected which is why I asked what permissions would I need to acquire. Also to be honest while I'm sure NPCs are probably copyrighted I have the slightest clue whether or not spell names are copyrighted or if there is only copyright issues if you copy the general effect as well as the name or what? though I would love to know. |
| #11kythriJul 18, 2009 19:54:15 | This is slightly what I expected which is why I asked what permissions would I need to acquire. Also to be honest while I'm sure NPCs are probably copyrighted I have the slightest clue whether or not spell names are copyrighted or if there is only copyright issues if you copy the general effect as well as the name or what? though I would love to know. WotC Customer Service could direct you to the licensing manager/department to explicitly license specific content. An NPC other than "Generic Thug" is likely protected by copyright, and therefore would require licensing to use. Some spell names are copyrighted, some spell names can't be copyrighted. "Bigsby's Big Bangstick" would likely be a copyrighted name. "Wall of Force", not so much. Apparently, since you can mix OGL and GSL content currently, you might check the SRD and see if said spell was released via the OGL (perhaps under a slightly different name - for example, I believe that "Evard's Black Tentacles" was released via the OGL as "Black Tentacles"). If so, you could simply use that (obeying the terms of the OGL/GSL, of course). Spell effects? That's a bit trickier. Is said spell iconically derivitave of D&D or other copyrighted content, or is it more "generic"? Not that either necessarily would swing things one way or the other, but were the effects of the spell something like "a great orb of cold blue fire explodes at the feet of your target", you could likely create your own spell name and describe a similar effect without fear of reprisal - WotC doesn't own a copyright on "fireball", for example. Hell, "Prismatic Spray" was a derivation of "The Excellent Prismatic Spray" spell from Vance's "The Dying Earth". Githyanki (the name and general psychic nature, at least, if not the D&D expression) were ripped from George R.R. Martin's novel "Dying of the Light", and found their way into D&D. Everyone borrows ideas and concepts, and fortunately, under our (current) law, such things aren't protected by copyright - the expression of them is. As such, get creative, put your own spin on things, and try to avoid blatantly copying something, and you should be safe. Outside of that, there are lawyers that specialize in copyright. :P |
| #12vebrandssonJul 18, 2009 20:21:14 | Thank you for the answers, I suppose I will have to look deeper into it when myself and the people I am writing with actually get close enough to something publishable to consider getting high leveled blood sucking undead like lawyers involved in the process :P (no offense if you are a lawyer) |
| #13kythriJul 18, 2009 22:26:35 | A lawyer isn't always a necessity, it's just one of those things that you need to take under consideration if you're going to enter into a legal agreement (which the OGL and GSL are). I'm not a lawyer, but I feel confident with my understanding of the various statutes and licenses. Others may not feel so, and those are the people that are probably best off at least briefly consulting an attorney. |
| #14vebrandssonJul 18, 2009 22:38:01 | Well when it comes to the GSL certainly I am confident I can read and comprehend what is in it, I've read through it more than once and find it rather straight forwards. But if it comes down to having to negotiate an agreement with WotC proper for use of copyrighted materials, yea I'll want one for that. |