> OK, I'm being convinced I was wrong. :) So if I scoop up a dozen OGLed
> modules, re-edit them to create a uniform graphic 'look and feel', and
> publish them as "Lizards Guide To Adventure Volume I", the most I can
> put on the cover is "By a dozen of the best game designers writing
> today" as opposed to "By Chris Pamas, Johnathan Tweet, and others"
Right.
And by NOT crediting Chris, Jonathan, and whoever else -- but blatantly
presenting work of theirs in its entirety -- you're all but screaming "We're
ripping off the authors!" because if you weren't you'd have troubled
yourself to work out some kind of permission from them (perhaps including a
modest payment for the use of their work).
It's a pretty elegant way, actually, to keep the license open, but still
allow an avenue of control by creators over their property.
> However, look for the Usual Suspects to claim "And now WOTC can publish
> your module and not even mention your name except in itty-bitty print in
> the credits!"
Depends on what you define as "Open Gaming Content," of course. While Chris
defined all of "Death in Freeport" as OGC, in "Three Days to Kill" it's just
the boxed (er, parchmented) text, which contains monster descriptions,
character stats, new rules mechanics (e.g., the drinking game), and so
forth. Folks are welcome to use those monsters on their web pages, in new
adventures, and all that. Just reproducing all the OGC, however, leaves out
a lot of the module, however -- e.g., the plot.
Whether you use parchment, boxes, appendices with statistics, sidebars, or
whatever, there are a lot of ways to work within the license and still
protect your property from any evil empires you suspect of plotting to steal
your stuff. ;) This leapt out at me when I first read the license, and I
just figured those Usual Suspects you refer to perhaps weren't very careful
readers.
------------------------------------------------------
John Nephew voice (651) 638-0077 fax (651) 638-0084
President, Atlas Games www.atlas-games.com
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
