> And yet Microsoft has (and has never had) *any*
> problem with someone writing "Works with Microsoft
> Windows" on the outside of their box. They in fact
> have two tiers of this - those who just wrote content
> and put it out can say "Runs on Microsoft Windows" -
> and those who pay the License Fee and go through an
> approval process can use something like "Microsoft
> Certified" (I am not clear on the exact details).
I don't believe there's a license fee associated with either "Designed for Windows" or
"Certified for Windows" programs. There is however a testing requirement which starts
at around $5k.
The example is still an interesting one and similar to what WotC is doing as far as
trademarks go (but completely different wrt to copyrights.)
You can use their basic D&D rulesystem (D20) absolutely free under the OGL, but you
are not allowed to use the D&D or D20 trademarks (as long as your derived work is also
free.)
You can use their basic D&D rulesystem (D20) absolutely free AND use the D20 Trademark
which identifies your work as D20 (and probably D&D) compatible absolutely free under
the D20STL.
And ultimately, you can use the complete D&D rulesystem (D&D 3e) AND use the
associated D&D trademarks as long as you enter into the proper licensing agreement
with Wizards with its associated fees and restrictions. (Though it would be far easier
to shoot for a freelance contract, but then you're just a contract employee rather
than the publisher. After all, how many non-TSR/WotC print RPG publications are there
that have used the D&D brand/trademarks?)
It's all about the options, baby.
-Andrew
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
