>From: Kal Lin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>
>Expecting WotC to provide you a trademarked shortcut to
>respectability as "D&D compatible" is not only selfish
>but antithetical to open gaming. We don't need any more
>licenses/trademarks/restrictions for everyone with some
>agenda.
This is a discussion list. I am not "expecting" anything - I am
>requesting< that either the OGF (currently controlled by WotC) provide
such a mechanism, or that WotC anticipate this need, and provide some
similar mechanism that would not dilute their trademarks.
Failing that, I am asking the list to brainstorm some way that WOULD be
acceptable to do this. Some have already provided suggestions and I
appreciate them, but it is really Ryan that has to say yeah or nay.
>You are free to create/promote/market/enforce your own
>trademarked logo and to create products under that trademark
>which demonstrate your convictions.
Of the products Earth 1066 is developing we have:
- Some that are D20 and are D&D compatible.
- Some that are D20 and are definitely *not* D&D compatible, but ARE
compatible with the D&D compatible products.
- Some that are not even OGL as they will contain no open content.
One MAJOR issue is that my customers, looking at the "Earth 1066" trademark,
will not bhe able to tell which of the products they can use directly with
their D&D campaigns, and which (once they buy it, take it home, and tear off
the shrinkwrap) simply will NOT work in a plain D&D setting.
While I respect your suggestion, what you are asking me to do (and this
"shortcoming" in the license is forcing) is that I, as a small time
producer, successfully develop multiple trademarks with distinctly different
connotations.
Product identification is arguably the most important concept in marketing.
It is the sole reason for the value of trademarks, and without it, you fail.
It is hard enough to develop ONE trademark as a recognizable mark. The
situation forces me into a situation where I either:
1) dissipate my (very limited) advertizing dollars on a strategy that at
best will be confusing to my customers,
or
2) Structure my product line to eliminate either what I consider to be an
extremely innovative, interesting product, or the product that (currently)
will be the basis for the public associating that innovative idea with my
company.
The situation as it stands (not WotC intentionally so don't flame me) is
discouraging innovation. I also do not see why it cannot be addressed while
still protecting WotC's IP.
Faust
Go vist the OGF FAQ <unofficial> at:
http://www.earth1066.com/D20FAQ.htm
... if you know what's good for you ...
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