Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 eekmonster Oct 29, 2011 20:13:15	I have read the specifics of the OGL and i would like to think i have a fair grasp on its content but i have a question which i hope someone can answer. If i would want to use just the D20 dice system and nothing else of Wizards of the Coast creation, is that subject to the OGL ? To put the subject into context i have been working on a roleplaying system orginally very loosely based on the D&D 3.5 edition. As the work continued the system has strayed considerably from the core and as it stands today it is a D20 system with very little related content and mechanics of Wizards of the Coast production. So my question is, if i build a system just using the D20 dice set, does that apply to the OGL or any other licence ?
#2 bone_naga Oct 30, 2011 16:01:44	Are you talking about using the framework of the d20 system to create another game or supplement, or are you talking about making a game that happens to use a d20 for resolution of tasks? If it's the former, you should use the OGL. If there's parts that you don't want to open up to the world, such as original feats or monsters that you create, then you need to clearly designate in the license portion of your book what portions are OGL (which at a minimum will be anything you borrow from the d20 system) and what parts are not (which can be anything of yours that was original work). It it's the latter, don't worry about it. If it just happens to be an RPG that uses classes, level, ability scores, etc, but the framework is not ripped straight from WotC, then you have no issues. I say this because I don't know what you mean by "very loosely" based on 3.5. I once started with 3.5 and by the time it was done I probably could have published it without any license because the system had evolved into something completely separate from D&D, having a different class/advancement structure, different skills, different ability scores, etc. But I'm guessing you'll be needing to look to the above paragraph instead.
#3 Matt_James Nov 30, 2011 7:22:59	Rules are not (and cannot be) protected. You can use them all you wish. As with anything, consult an IP attorney.