RE: [ogf-d20-l] A Cautionary Note - The D20 System License

[Brad Thompson]

> Martin L. Shoemaker
>
> Need we any more prrof that natural languages are imprecise, when two
> careful, diligent readers can come away with divergent interpretations?

No kidding :-)  It's no wonder lawyers have to go to school for ages before
they can practice law.  It's almost to the point where we might as well be
illiterate...

> I guess we're looking at the same words and coming away with different
> interpretations, then. I look at the definition of Open Game
> Content, and it
> looks like it does not include game mechanics and the methods, procedures,
> processes and routines to the extent such content embody the Product
> Identity or are not enhancements over prior art.

I have to agree with you here.  That's exactly what I got out of it.

I just see that list of categories of things that CAN be PI, and 'game
mechanics that are not enhancements over prior art' does not fit into any of
them.  Since 1(d) also says that OGC is 'the entire work'...'to the extent
that such content does not embody the Product Identity', that leaves little
room for non-PI to be anything other than OGC.

Essentially, 1(d) says it doesn't have to be OGC, and at the same time says
it must be OGC because of how 1(e) is worded.

-Brad