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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 13:12:50
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If you take the basic 3.5 OGL and extrapolate your own rule tweaks and modifications from those, you can do whatever you want.
You can't however slavishly copy Pathfinder's own mods and tweaks to the OGL basic rule set.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 14:29:53
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quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
Well everything is different somewhat. The bit that is most similar is the combat but all the feats, skills, classes, spells, and monsters are different.
It uses the same base ideas like attack and damage and hit points but its the fine detail that is different. I dont know if that qualifies or not.
The point is, Pathfinder is based on the OGL, but I'm not aware of any similar thing for the Pathfinder rules.
In other words, the OGL allows tweaking of the original rules put out by WotC, and that's what Paizo did. Paizo did not, however, say that their rules were free for tweaking and selling. Since their rules are based on the OGL, I don't think they can even do that.
So what Krash is saying is that you'd be better off starting with the rules covered by the OGL, copying the stuff that Paizo did that you like, and then going in a different direction on the rest.
It's a fine point, but legally speaking, it's a big difference. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 22:33:35
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| OGL is not a true share-and-share-alike copyleft. Material based on OGL resources (like the WotC SRDs) must abide by the OGL strictures but can be copyrighted under its own non-OGL license. Specifically, the Pathfinder brand and game systems are owned and copyrighted by Paizo, they have legally protected their additions/modifications to the SRD under their own license. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 04:35:42
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quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
Any idea what I have to do for this OGL thing so that I don't get sued?
I'd start by looking it up and reading it. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 05:15:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by dazzlerdal
Any idea what I have to do for this OGL thing so that I don't get sued?
I'd start by looking it up and reading it.
And/or [preferably "and"] I'd recommend contacting the customer service branches of both Wizards and Paizo, and asking for their clarification/assistance, should you find the need for further elaboration on the legal use of OGL. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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see
Learned Scribe
235 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 01:27:37
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| You're better off taking a copy of the OGL to an actual lawyer for advice. I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 02:51:38
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Wooly's advice is sound.
If you're unsure about even the slightest detail regarding use of the OGL, I would recommend seeking legal counsel. I've seen what working with this material and not fully comprehending the realities of the legalese inherent in the OGL mandate, can do to unwary folk. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 11:19:09
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| I'm not a lawyer, but I do pretend to be one to pick up chicks |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 11:51:53
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| I'd like to increase my CHA to, like 25 |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 11:57:39
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| And I wish I had a bigger...backyard |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 14:46:29
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| As a player in a game run by dazzler I can say that his mechanics are sound and seem equitable (I can't 'see' what's actually going on with the other players, but so far everyone seems relatively balanced with the others and can contribute equitably). |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2014 : 23:48:39
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Plenty of google about this topic is out there. Some of it dealing very specifically with D&D and OGL and SRD and d20 details. Some of it submitted by game designers who have been successful in this arena. Some but game designers who have been unsuccessful. Some by lawyers.
You could break the ice by following Sages advice and actually contacting WotC. Explain in writing what you would like to do, which of their license(s) you understand allow you to do it. They will happily inform you if they have any problems with your project, or if it is acceptible, or if they require certain changes, or if they encourage certain developments. Better to be forthright and resolve potential issues before you invest time and money into design, writing, publishing, printing, marketing, distribution, and courtrooms.
WotC has legally protected their brand, and might fight hard and dirty to protect their turf. But they are not the enemy. Play nice, dont backstab, and you might do well. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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New Rules
