<<
Group world creation cannot be "open" in the same way that a set of
rules can. I think we all understand why. However, if a group does not
restrict membership then there is _nothing_ keeping the work from being
"freely copied, modified and distributed." Additionally, all material
"freely" distributed within the community could be forced to remain that
way.
>>
I don't think there is a difference between whether a group project had
open or restricted membership, as it relates to the Open Content that is
produced. If a group restricts membership, then what is keeping the
work from being freely copied, modified and distributed.
What you need if you are creating a world that is open to anyone to
contribute, but you have specific guidelines on what can be considered
"official" material for the world, is to have a Setting license, and a
logo (and Trademark) very much like the D20STL, and the D20 logo. In
this license for the setting, you set down the guidelines on how you
allow compatible materials for the setting, and then only those
materials that comply with the license can use the logo, and thus be
considered compatible with the setting. One of your restrictions to
using the license could be that it has to go through "Quality Control"
with the Trademark Owner, before it can use the logo.
If someone then wanted to modify, and distribute materials that appear
under the Setting license but did not care about using the Setting logo
to signify that it was for the setting, he doesn't have to bother with
the setting license.
I've posted about this, but apparently was ignored ;-)
If I ever get around to putting my setting out, I will be going this
route.
--
Korath
http://www.korath.com
"He was already dead, he died a year ago, the moment he touched her.
They're all dead, they just don't know it." --Eric Draven, The Crow
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
