Wizards of the Coast - SRD 3.5 - Software Usage

#1 That's great. The last time I checked, it was a no-go because of the D20 licensing confusion with electronic games and OGL. It's nice to have it clarified.

#2 Hm. They updated all their FAQs in January of this year... for instance, the OGL FAQ is greatly improved.

I have wanted to code an SRD implementation forever, and a day.

This is the green light.

-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games

#3

Quote:
Q: How can the OGL be used with software?

A: Just like with other material, the OGL allows you to use any Open Content, provided you follow the terms of the OGL. Follow the requirements of the License, include the text of the license and the appropriate copyright information, and clearly identify Open Content.

NOTE: The biggest problem we've found with software and the OGL is that programmers aren't paying attention to Section 8 of the OGL. Section 8 states: "If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Content." This doesn't mean you can say "all rules in my program are Open", the users need to be able to see all that Open Content. You can do this by putting Open Content in a format that is easy to understand. Popular solutions have been to place everything in text files that the program pulls info from, having everything in a viewable database within the software, using Java script on a webpage (viewing the source of the webpage will display the code and Java script is relatively easy for a user to interpret). The key is that the user has to see everything that is Open Content that the program uses and be able to understand it without too much effort. The whole point of the OGL is that once information is declared Open everyone has free access to it under the OGL. Compiling that information into a program denies the user that access and violates the spirit of the Open Gaming License.

Q: So what kinds of programs can I make with the OGL?

A: Anything. Character generators are popular, as are programs that help GMs keep track of their adventure. Random treasure generators are also fun.

Q: So I could make a game?

A: Sure. Remember though, you cannot use any Product Identity with the OGL or claim compatibility with anything. So you can't say your game is a d20 System game or uses D&D rules or call it "Elminster's Undermountain Crawl."

So, with all the above in mind, how exactly would one go about creating a game based off the SRD that didn't violate the OGL?

#4 @Axel: Simple. Follow the OGL...

I didn't realize the following and found it really interesting.

Q: Can game rules be copyright?

A: In the United States, the rules of games cannot be copyright. The law may be different in other countries, but most countries are signatures to the Bern Convention on Copyrights, and under the terms of the BCC, the rules of games cannot be copyright. If you have questions about your ability to apply the copyright law to a game, consult your legal counsel.

#5

Quote:or claim compatibility with anything

That sounds a bit bizarre, do they mean you can't claim compatibility with the SRD 3.5 if you use it?

#6 No, as part of the OGL you HAVE to include this notice:

Quote:15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

I am all smiles today.

-Josh

#7

Quote:
So, with all the above in mind, how exactly would one go about creating a game based off the SRD that didn't violate the OGL?

To be specific, Josh has been developing (MoM anyway) under the GPL. The source code is available for anyone to see, which should mean it automatically meets the OGL's requirements for 'openness'.

#8 There is that... but even with a closed source engine, you only have to expose what you are declaring as Open Content, or derivatives of Open Content...

If you were going to use a closed source engine... it would probably be wise to script the OGL stuff or make text versions and/or an ingame browser of anything under the OGL.

OGL isn't copyleft... you can specify stuff that is considered 'Product Identity'.... that's a powerful concept... and very much in line with the method to my madness.

Edit:

Here are a couple examples of skirting/flirting with the d20 license:

From DM Genie:

Quote:DM Genie is a computer program for players and game masters running the Third Edition or the new Revision 3.5 of the world's most popular tabletop role playing game. DM Genie can also be customized to any game system that is based on 20-sided dice.

From Sony (this borders on piracy):

D20 Everquest - Check out the "d20" logo... theirs is a red d20 die, that happened to land on 20 :) Contrast this to the official logo... oh my!

-Josh

#9 @Josh: I'm never good at reading through reams of license information as I always seem to find it gobbly-gook and hard to interpret so I find this a little confusing.

To be clear, can we build games using any (or all) of the content of the SRD as long as we don't advertise it's d20 compliant or whatever? In other words, if I wanted to build a RPG game I could use all the spells, monsters and whatnot in the SRD as-is?

#10 I am not going to pretend to be a lawyer... or give legal advice... but:

Quote:Q: So I could make a game?

A: Sure. Remember though, you cannot use any Product Identity with the OGL or claim compatibility with anything. So you can't say your game is a d20 System game or uses D&D rules or call it Elminster's Undermountain Crawl.

I think the OGL is a very short and clear license... The "new" Software FAQ, which I have saved locally, is great to see. Not being able to copyright game rules, further clarifies this in my mind. What we are really taking about is Open Content... and I think it's clear from the license, FAQS, and existing usage, that we can use this stuff in software... and specifically games.

That's 20 megs of fantasy material in rich text... there's also a pile of "Modern SRD" rules... as well as all the Open Content released out in the wild...

-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games

#11 To put forth another example which might be more clear, Knights of The Old Republic probably could have been made under the current version of the OGL and how it relates to software?

#12 No.

I don't know if KotOR used the Star Wars d20 stuff or not... but, even if it did, nothing from Star Wars d20 is Open Content under the Open Game License.

A lawyer had this to say on the Open Gaming Foundation discussion list:

1) There is the content you specify as Open Content under the OGL
2) There is the content you specify as Product Identity under the OGL
3) There is everything else which falls under copyright law

So if you don't specify something as Open Content, or Product Identity it doesn't default to be under the OGL.

The D20 license is a completely different license... and more restrictive.


-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games

#13 If anyone is interested:

I literally have done nothing but filet the 3.5 SRD since last Thursday... all in all, it's a good fit... Minions of Mirth will be a SRD based game with some funky and (optional) house rules laid on top...

I have wanted to do this for so long... my freak is way, way, on!!! I can't believe I can work, commercially, with this IP... 2004 is a great year so far :)

-Josh Ritter
Prairie Games