>From: Clark Peterson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>my question is which of the above items can i copywrite and which
>would remain open material that others can use without my permission?
>
The answer is that you can copyright ANYTHING that is not specifically
copied from already "open" content - even the sections of books that contain
chunks of the D20 SRD, provided you expressly specify which parts of the
book are open content (ie: by "grey boxing" only the open content and
stating in your forward that the only "open" part of the book is the parts
that are grey boxed.), and which are closed. On the OGF lists we have had
much discussion about "Stats Blocks" and figured out that the way this will
work in practice could be (ie for a modified Magic Missile spell):
-----------------------------
Magical Bolt
|----------------------------------|
| Casting Time: xxx (grey boxed) |
| Range: xxx |
| Duration: xxx |
| Damage: xxx |
|----------------------------------|
This spell causes between x and y magical bolts of pure energy to leap
forward from the fingertips of the caster, striking any target within range
.... (etc)
-----------------------
In the above example, all of the spell is "closed" and copyright of the
author, with the exception of the spell stats block. The same can be done
with NPC's, Monsters, and (presumably) Magical Items. If you use a spell
name from Open Content, then the grey box must be extended to cover the
spell name. Ditto with the spell description.
So the answer is, that ALL of your books you listed could be copyrighted by
you, with the "open content" specified in this fashion.
See the OGF FAQ <unofficial> at:
http://www.earth1066.com/D20FAQ.htm
for more information on topics covered on the lists ...
Faust
>From: Clark Peterson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: [Open_Gaming] What can I copywrite under d20?
>Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 11:04:00 -0700
>
>Mr. Dancey-
>
>could you please clarify a few things for me about material created under
>d20 and the OGL.
>
>let's say i create an adventure module under the d20/OGL licenses.
>obviously to do so i use the d20 source material. in this module i create i
>do the following:
>
>1. list monsters, traps, etc., all of which are described in the d20 source
>material.
>2. describe spells and effects, also all of which are described in the d20
>material.
>3. create a new spell and describe it in d20 format.
>4. create a new monster and describe it in d20 format.
>5. include original art work.
>6. include original written material (the text description of the
>adventure)
>
>i understand that i can create all of these things under the licenses, but
>my question is which of the above items can i copywrite and which would
>remain open material that others can use without my permission?
>
>if i understand correctly, 1 and 2 are obviously open content. 3 and 4,
>even though they are new creations seem also to be open content and thus
>usable by anyone in their d20 stat block form (is this true?). However, the
>text, descriptions and art relating to these creatures should be mine. 5
>and 6 also should remain my property--meaning that others can't simply take
>what i have created and resell it (is this true?).
>
>i would greatly appreciate your thoughts on these areas. and if you see any
>things i am missing, please let me (and the rest of the board) know.
>
>thanks,
>Clark
>
>
>-------------
>For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
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