> Fred, > > I see that you have clearly failed to see my point. > > I cannot legally create a game based in my own IP (let's call it > Dustbin Wars), and use the SRD for the rules mechanics and not declare > the rules mechanics or anything derived from SRD mechanics as Open > Content. I have to do that under the terms of the licence of the > material I'm building on.
So far you are correct. > Yet in saying the Vitality/Wound points system is not Open Content, it > appears that Wizards have done exactly that: > > Used SRD Open Content (which admittedly they authored, but then > declared Open Content), and created a game called Star Wars using a > lot of Open Content and a new "HP" systems /derived/ from Open > Content, yet everyone appears to be saying that it isn't Open Content. Wrong, they did not use any open content. They used content from / derived from 3E, not from the SRD. Someone correct me if I am wrong (I don't have my Star Wars book at work), but I don't believe there is any mention in the Star Wars book that it uses material from the SRD. > I've already conceded that I'm wrong, I wanna know why. My argument > appears to be sound, but there is clearly a big hole in it I'm not > seeing! > > Martin. > There are two major points you may be glossing over. First - WotC owns the rights to the 3E material / rules that the SRD was derived / developed from. They can do pretty much anything they want with it, derive whatever they want from the original material without using the SRD. The OGL gives us permission to use / derive from the SRD. Second - The d20 logo / trademark is the property of WotC as well. The d20 License gives us a way to use the d20 logo / trademark as long as we abide by the guidelines provided by WotC. What does this mean? In a nutshell, WotC can use the material, d20 logo / trademark, etc... without having to follow the OGL or d20 License in any way shape or form. Heck, theoretically, someone could cut a separate agreement with WotC to use the 3E material and d20 logo / trademark, and they could develop a product, and release it with the d20 logo on it without having to make anything in it open at all. BTW - most of this is covered in the d20 / OGL faqs on WotC's site. John Bacon Larp FX / Canterbury Creations Coming soon to a pdf viewer near you .... Military Handguns of the World. _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
