Re: [Open_Gaming] ANOTHER REPOST from "Open-Gaming" List

[Russ Taylor]

On 5/4/00 2:32 PM, Ryan S. Dancey ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote

>Compare these problems to the concept of Open Gaming, where the Open Gaming
>License protects and binds its publishers to a completely open and
>unrestricted ability to copy, modify and distribute materials either wholly
>new or derived from previous works.

Er, it's restricted, by definition.  Open licenses restrict the ability 
to close the license of a derived work -- that's a pretty hefty 
restriction, but critical to open source working.

Never mind that the "D20 System" will have a FAR more restrictive license 
that that, forbidding others from publishing details of the experience 
system.

>Material released using the Open Game License, Trademark License or no,
>fulfills the letter and spirit of the Open Source Definition and embraces
>fully and unreservedly the belief that game content should be freely copied,
>modified and distributed.

That's mostly true, although D20 itself falls down rather badly on the 
"spirit" with the restrictions on what portions of the engine may be 
distributed.

-- 
Russ Taylor (http://www.cmc.net/~rtaylor/)
CMC Tech Support Manager

"Hey, it don't split up even any more!" -- Bill

-------------
For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org