> > I don't know how we got down this path to the Conspiracy again, but the
> > problems with digital files and the OGL have nothing to do with Hasbro.
>
> Probably the 'interactive game' clause in the d20 STL and the difficulty in
> separating your role as the voice of the OGF vs. your role as a Wizards
> employee. Or perhaps your unwillingness to propose any better solution than
> 'it will work itself out if we wait long enough'.
Ryan, perhaps another solution would be to rename OGF into Shared-Source Foundation
with similar to
Microsoft legal basis. Then everyone would understand where things stand, and we
wouldn't have any
false expectations. The problem is only the gap between OGF stated mission, and legal
reality of OGF
documents. If i will see outright restriction to work on D20/OGL software, D20-related
digital
formats and distribution of D20/OGC materials via electronic media on OGF page
tomorrow, that would
immediately answer all our current and future questions. Until they are outright
restricted lets
accept as fact that people are going to create and use digital formats to exchange
D20/OGC content,
and they will build software to create and edit content. Not to mention official PHB
comes with very
software and very digital CD slapped on the back, which produces very binary non-human
readable
files as output.
>From corporate viewpoint (Wizards) there is 2 strategies available imho:
1) Do nothing. Sooner or later someone with really bright idea will do a Napster on
this (innovative
software which somehow break the old rules and cretes new reality) Then with lots of
screams, pain
and legal lawsuits Wizards will fight back to regain control. Of course by time
lawsuits are won OGF
will be a smoking ruins.
2) Carefully adjust to current internet/digital reality, and change the legal
documents accordingly.
So at least 70-80% of creative forces here would find it reasonable to work under
Wizards guidelines
then against them. Simon Rogers�s idea about allowing licensed D20 software to require
MT
installation, while not perfect, is certainly better then NOTHING plus draconian and
fuzzy
�Interactive Game� clause.
No conspiracy theories? Well, then I guess this logic loop was purely accidental:
May 29, From: "Hicks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> open gaming content and that can be freely reused in accordance with the
> Open Gaming Licence is in the C:\MyGameName\OGC directory.
> Thus clearly identifying what is OGC?
May 29, From: "Ryan S. Dancey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> No, because the work that is OGC in your software cannot be clearly
> identified. Putting it in a separate folder just means you've conveniently
> separated it from the larger work - but the larger work can still be
> distributed by someone without the separate folder, thus violating the terms
> of the OGL.
----- Original Message -----
May 30, From: "Ryan S. Dancey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> The problem is that the license uses a very simple, very lightweight system
> to keep Open Game Content easily extractable - the clause that it be
> "clearly identfied". The nature of digital files is such that with little
> effort and often by accident, Open Game Content can be rendered impossible
> to detect or separate from the larger work.
In summary: putting files in special folder "conveniently separate" OGC materials, but
still they
are not "clearly identified" according to you. And by your own words one day later the
license is so
lightweight "to keep OGC easily extractable". But "digital files...OGC can be rendered
impossible to
detect or separate from the larger work." Hey, they were "separated from larger work"
one day ago!
Ok, what sort of logic is that? What could be easier to extract then separate folder
in software
installation? Even if i have folder of full binary files i have no reader for - why
should reader
matter if i already know all these files *are OGC*? I can pass them along to person
who has the
reader for example.Its my personal right *how* i use OGC content: to read, to store on
tape, to
redistribute. If i give Relics & Rituals to Hungarian person (who probably don't have
natural
English reader) it doesn't stop him from using R&R OGC. He can store the book, pass it
along to
English reading friend, or if he really needs it, he can hire a translator. Just as
computer person
can download|install|buy proprietary format reader.
- Max
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