Psionic open game license - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Psionic open game license

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
deaconrayne
Dec 11, 2011 9:42:59 At the risk of going over the same territory again; what is WotC's stance on psionics? One one hand, the SRD has it listed as a legitimate power source. On the other, nothing in PHB3, which deals with psionics, is listed as OGL.
Thanks!
#2
bone_naga
Dec 12, 2011 11:18:10 If you're talking about 4e, nothing is OGL, it is all GSL. The GSL is very different from the OGL. You can't reprint anything except names and then refer to a book and page number. So all having psionics in the SRD would do is let you write something like "see Ardent, p. X, PHB3".

You can still publish your own psionic powers since that doesn't require using anything from WotC. Or just publish your book without using the GSL and then you don't really have to worry about the SRD.
#3
deaconrayne
Dec 14, 2011 19:38:30 Interesting. So if I am creating my own setting, I can use the term "psionic", just not any of the specific powers.
If I could impose upon you, what is the difference between GSL material and OGL?
Originally, I was going to publish my setting under 3.5, but then 4 came out and it looks like the legal landscape has been altered a touch.
Thank you very much
#4
Matt_James
Dec 15, 2011 5:34:08 Deaconrayne, I would highly suggest you pay an IP attoney for an hour of their time. They are your best bet in getting solid legal advice.
#5
deaconrayne
Dec 15, 2011 10:16:29 You know, I was actually thinking the same thing. Plus, I live in Boston, you can't throw a rock without hitting a lawyer. As a game designer, can you recommend any other useful resources? (books to read, websites to investigate, etc..)?
#6
bone_naga
Dec 15, 2011 15:22:34 If you're not familiar with the GSL and OGL, I would suggest that you search for the text of both licenses and read through them. To summarize, the GSL is much, much more restrictive than the OGL. The only thing the GSL really gives you that isn't available just through fair use is the right to slap the D&D logo on your product. It also restricts options that you might otherwise have. That may be really important to you, or it may sound fairly meaningless. There are benefits and drawbacks each way so you'll have to weigh the options yourself.

If you're a fairly law-savvy person, I would recommend reading through the two licenses as well as fair use laws. You can also search what IP has been trademarked or copyrighted by WotC, as that is a matter of public record. If you are in any way unsure of anything, your best bet is probably to talk to an IP lawyer. There are also a few companies that have released 4e material without using the GSL, you could probably look at their stuff as examples of what you can get away with, and although it isn't out yet, Dias Ex Machina announced that they will be releasing a 4e product under the OGL instead of GSL.

That said, here are some general guidelines that might help you out. You can make products compatible with 4e, but you can't use WotC's IP. So unless you sign onto the GSL, no D&D logo on your product. No reprinting of classes, feats, monsters, powers, etc. (basically the GSL was the response to people abusing the OGL by completely reprinting the PHB and then selling it as their own). However, if you print your own stuff without using WotC's material, you should be good to go. Terms like "psionic" or "arcane" are very common throughout fantasy and do not belong to WotC. Like you said, just don't reprint any of WotC's psionic powers.

Now keep in mind that although I do a lot of reading of legislative pieces and understand a lot about the legal system, I am not a lawyer. There could be some obscure item that I am missing. Anyway, good luck to you.
#7
deaconrayne
Dec 15, 2011 16:20:20
If you're not familiar with the GSL and OGL, I would suggest that you search for the text of both licenses and read through them. To summarize, the GSL is much, much more restrictive than the OGL. The only thing the GSL really gives you that isn't available just through fair use is the right to slap the D&D logo on your product. It also restricts options that you might otherwise have. That may be really important to you, or it may sound fairly meaningless. There are benefits and drawbacks each way so you'll have to weigh the options yourself.

If you're a fairly law-savvy person, I would recommend reading through the two licenses as well as fair use laws. You can also search what IP has been trademarked or copyrighted by WotC, as that is a matter of public record. If you are in any way unsure of anything, your best bet is probably to talk to an IP lawyer. There are also a few companies that have released 4e material without using the GSL, you could probably look at their stuff as examples of what you can get away with, and although it isn't out yet, Dias Ex Machina announced that they will be releasing a 4e product under the OGL instead of GSL.

That said, here are some general guidelines that might help you out. You can make products compatible with 4e, but you can't use WotC's IP. So unless you sign onto the GSL, no D&D logo on your product. No reprinting of classes, feats, monsters, powers, etc. (basically the GSL was the response to people abusing the OGL by completely reprinting the PHB and then selling it as their own). However, if you print your own stuff without using WotC's material, you should be good to go. Terms like "psionic" or "arcane" are very common throughout fantasy and do not belong to WotC. Like you said, just don't reprint any of WotC's psionic powers.

Now keep in mind that although I do a lot of reading of legislative pieces and understand a lot about the legal system, I am not a lawyer. There could be some obscure item that I am missing. Anyway, good luck to you.

Thank you very much, Naga, that seems like excellent advice. Truth be told I'd probably prefer to pick the option that allows me greater flexibility and creative control. If that means abstaining from the D&D official logo, so be it. But the core concepts: classes, feats skills, etc...those are things that I'm going to have to examine in more detail.
#8
bone_naga
Dec 15, 2011 22:26:02
Thank you very much, Naga, that seems like excellent advice. Truth be told I'd probably prefer to pick the option that allows me greater flexibility and creative control. If that means abstaining from the D&D official logo, so be it. But the core concepts: classes, feats skills, etc...those are things that I'm going to have to examine in more detail.

I agree that more flexibility is good. That said, review the GSL anyway. If the restrictions in it don't apply to anything that you want to do, then they might as well be nonexistent. If they do, well like I said above you'll just have to forgo the logo. Basically, don't jump to a decision either way until you've fully understood what is involved with each course of action. And good luck with whatever you're writing.
#9
deaconrayne
Dec 16, 2011 8:19:09 Again, my thanks Naga. I believe I'll wind up renting a lawyer for an hour or so and go over both documents.
If you have any further thoughts, please let me know.
In the meantime, good fortune to you and yours and a good holiday.
#10
bone_naga
Dec 16, 2011 14:39:52
In the meantime, good fortune to you and yours and a good holiday.

And the same to you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 deaconrayne Dec 11, 2011 9:42:59	At the risk of going over the same territory again; what is WotC's stance on psionics? One one hand, the SRD has it listed as a legitimate power source. On the other, nothing in PHB3, which deals with psionics, is listed as OGL. Thanks!
#2 bone_naga Dec 12, 2011 11:18:10	If you're talking about 4e, nothing is OGL, it is all GSL. The GSL is very different from the OGL. You can't reprint anything except names and then refer to a book and page number. So all having psionics in the SRD would do is let you write something like "see Ardent, p. X, PHB3". You can still publish your own psionic powers since that doesn't require using anything from WotC. Or just publish your book without using the GSL and then you don't really have to worry about the SRD.
#3 deaconrayne Dec 14, 2011 19:38:30	Interesting. So if I am creating my own setting, I can use the term "psionic", just not any of the specific powers. If I could impose upon you, what is the difference between GSL material and OGL? Originally, I was going to publish my setting under 3.5, but then 4 came out and it looks like the legal landscape has been altered a touch. Thank you very much
#4 Matt_James Dec 15, 2011 5:34:08	Deaconrayne, I would highly suggest you pay an IP attoney for an hour of their time. They are your best bet in getting solid legal advice.
#5 deaconrayne Dec 15, 2011 10:16:29	You know, I was actually thinking the same thing. Plus, I live in Boston, you can't throw a rock without hitting a lawyer. As a game designer, can you recommend any other useful resources? (books to read, websites to investigate, etc..)?
#6 bone_naga Dec 15, 2011 15:22:34	If you're not familiar with the GSL and OGL, I would suggest that you search for the text of both licenses and read through them. To summarize, the GSL is much, much more restrictive than the OGL. The only thing the GSL really gives you that isn't available just through fair use is the right to slap the D&D logo on your product. It also restricts options that you might otherwise have. That may be really important to you, or it may sound fairly meaningless. There are benefits and drawbacks each way so you'll have to weigh the options yourself. If you're a fairly law-savvy person, I would recommend reading through the two licenses as well as fair use laws. You can also search what IP has been trademarked or copyrighted by WotC, as that is a matter of public record. If you are in any way unsure of anything, your best bet is probably to talk to an IP lawyer. There are also a few companies that have released 4e material without using the GSL, you could probably look at their stuff as examples of what you can get away with, and although it isn't out yet, Dias Ex Machina announced that they will be releasing a 4e product under the OGL instead of GSL. That said, here are some general guidelines that might help you out. You can make products compatible with 4e, but you can't use WotC's IP. So unless you sign onto the GSL, no D&D logo on your product. No reprinting of classes, feats, monsters, powers, etc. (basically the GSL was the response to people abusing the OGL by completely reprinting the PHB and then selling it as their own). However, if you print your own stuff without using WotC's material, you should be good to go. Terms like "psionic" or "arcane" are very common throughout fantasy and do not belong to WotC. Like you said, just don't reprint any of WotC's psionic powers. Now keep in mind that although I do a lot of reading of legislative pieces and understand a lot about the legal system, I am not a lawyer. There could be some obscure item that I am missing. Anyway, good luck to you.
#7 deaconrayne Dec 15, 2011 16:20:20	If you're not familiar with the GSL and OGL, I would suggest that you search for the text of both licenses and read through them. To summarize, the GSL is much, much more restrictive than the OGL. The only thing the GSL really gives you that isn't available just through fair use is the right to slap the D&D logo on your product. It also restricts options that you might otherwise have. That may be really important to you, or it may sound fairly meaningless. There are benefits and drawbacks each way so you'll have to weigh the options yourself. If you're a fairly law-savvy person, I would recommend reading through the two licenses as well as fair use laws. You can also search what IP has been trademarked or copyrighted by WotC, as that is a matter of public record. If you are in any way unsure of anything, your best bet is probably to talk to an IP lawyer. There are also a few companies that have released 4e material without using the GSL, you could probably look at their stuff as examples of what you can get away with, and although it isn't out yet, Dias Ex Machina announced that they will be releasing a 4e product under the OGL instead of GSL. That said, here are some general guidelines that might help you out. You can make products compatible with 4e, but you can't use WotC's IP. So unless you sign onto the GSL, no D&D logo on your product. No reprinting of classes, feats, monsters, powers, etc. (basically the GSL was the response to people abusing the OGL by completely reprinting the PHB and then selling it as their own). However, if you print your own stuff without using WotC's material, you should be good to go. Terms like "psionic" or "arcane" are very common throughout fantasy and do not belong to WotC. Like you said, just don't reprint any of WotC's psionic powers. Now keep in mind that although I do a lot of reading of legislative pieces and understand a lot about the legal system, I am not a lawyer. There could be some obscure item that I am missing. Anyway, good luck to you. Thank you very much, Naga, that seems like excellent advice. Truth be told I'd probably prefer to pick the option that allows me greater flexibility and creative control. If that means abstaining from the D&D official logo, so be it. But the core concepts: classes, feats skills, etc...those are things that I'm going to have to examine in more detail.
#8 bone_naga Dec 15, 2011 22:26:02	Thank you very much, Naga, that seems like excellent advice. Truth be told I'd probably prefer to pick the option that allows me greater flexibility and creative control. If that means abstaining from the D&D official logo, so be it. But the core concepts: classes, feats skills, etc...those are things that I'm going to have to examine in more detail. I agree that more flexibility is good. That said, review the GSL anyway. If the restrictions in it don't apply to anything that you want to do, then they might as well be nonexistent. If they do, well like I said above you'll just have to forgo the logo. Basically, don't jump to a decision either way until you've fully understood what is involved with each course of action. And good luck with whatever you're writing.
#9 deaconrayne Dec 16, 2011 8:19:09	Again, my thanks Naga. I believe I'll wind up renting a lawyer for an hour or so and go over both documents. If you have any further thoughts, please let me know. In the meantime, good fortune to you and yours and a good holiday.
#10 bone_naga Dec 16, 2011 14:39:52	In the meantime, good fortune to you and yours and a good holiday. And the same to you.