[Ogf-l] OGL Declarations and publishers

[Steve Creech]

<soapbox>   I've read/watched the "beat the dead mongoose" argument for some time now without getting too involved, but really people, is the latest round of this necessary? Mongoose is far from the only d20 publisher who has not been as clear with their declarations as others would like (there are far worse offenders with questionable declarations). Not addressing the initial issue with the Ultimate book, I have never really had that much of a problem understanding the declaration. When Mongoose switched from the declaration method of its first books (labeled at the bottom of the page) to its relatively current one (I haven't seen their last few releases, so I am going off what I own), I emailed them and asked for a clarification. What I was told satisfied me and made sense when I went back and reread it again. Their latest promise to take a look at how they do things and work to come up with something better should be sufficient enough for everyone without continuing the tirade on how they should be doing it better.   Now, anyone who is familiar with my works knows that I do utilize open game content from other sources when it has a purpose. Take one look at the section 15 of Pale Designs and you will see that. When I asked Matthew about using material from Quintessential Rogue that they had originally declared closed, he had no problems at all about it becoming open content as a result of my use. To be honest, if that question were to be asked again today given the skewering certain folks seem bent on pursuing, I doubt he would grant it.   Now, having said that, its apparent that everyone wants the ideal situation of every publisher producing nothing but 100% open content so they can use it without worrying about whether its product identity. Well, a polite email goes a heck of a lot farther in getting permission to use material than a demand to clean up their ogc so you don't have to go to the trouble to comprise a short inquiry email.   While I am relatively new compared to some writers in terms of career, I have to say that nearly every publisher I have ever contacted about ogc and PI material have been kind enough to bend over backwards to be helpful. Clark even volunteered to help double check my OGL for Pale Designs just so the ducks were in a row. That kind of help goes above and beyond the call of duty. I am not sure if you folks realize this, but there isn't a single publisher out there who is required to give assistance to anyone. Given the current climate, I wouldn't be surprised if certain publishers got a little strict about how they deal with freelancers.   What it boils down to is that regardless of what folks on this list may think, it is no one other than Wizard's responsible to police the OGL. It is their license and their responsibility. And wishes (or open sentiments) that someone should get sued just to set everyone else in line is about as out of line as some of the comments on this list regarding Mongoose's attitude. Let's leave the OGL police to WotC and focus on more constructive things than publisher bashing...   </soapbox> -- Steve Creech d20 Magazine Rack - The Critic's Corner / The Gamer's Corner www.d20zines.com   To share often and much; to leave the world a little better; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson