Preliminary scan...very nice, and a far cry from what certain rumours were saying. Forgive me if I now enter hypercritical and nitpicky mode... A few comments: a)As I understand it, it is legal for me to release D20 software which generates or stores character (i.e, DM assistance software) but not anything which resolves actions -- i.e, I could not write a combat tool or a MUD and use the D20 license. I can, however, write a freeware/shareware or even commercial(?) game using the rules, terms, etc, in the D20 SRD. Correct or incorrect? b)You might wish to rename the "D20 SRD", perhaps to "Standard Fantasy System" or the like. The reason is, the terms of the OGL (not D20 STL) means I could not say something like "This game is based on the D20 SRD!" -- because that would use the trademarked 'D20'. (Or is that part of the plan?) c)What is the time limit for WOTC to determine that a product is 'in breach' of the D20 STL? To look at this from the conspiracy theorists point of view, it would be just like those eeeeevil basitches at WOTC to let someone release a game under D20 STL, then, when it was selling well, suddenly decide it was "in breach" and demand changes be made. Something like "WOTC agrees to report on any breach of the D20 STL within 90 days if a copy of the work is provided to us. You are not required to provide us with a copy of the work or to seek prior approval for any product, but, in such a case, we reserve the right to report a breach of the D20 STL at any future time". d)What, if any, arbitration mechanism is there for resolving alleged failure to abide by the terms of the D20 STL? e)I really like the list of defined terms. f)What is meant by 'extend' the defined terms? For example, could I define a term called "Toughness" and say "Toughness is a combination of Armor Class and Constitution, with the following effects...." (BTW, Damage Reduction is NOT a defined term? Interesting.) g)Updates -- Sigh. There's really no way around this, because you need the right to modify the license, but I can hear the conspiracy theorists at it. It does mean you can't tell someone to pull a previously-valid product even if the terms of the STL change, which is good, but if I were a small company building my long term business plans around the D20 STL, I'd be a teeny bit nervous about the possibility of management deciding, a year from now, that the whole thing was a bad idea. I remember when Apple pulled the rug from under the clone makers a few years ago...
