[MUD-Dev] [Open_Gaming_Moderated] Simplified License for Comment and Critique (fwd)

[J C Lawrence]

------- Forwarded Message

From: "Ryan S. Dancey" <ryanathome at frpg.com>
To: <ogf-m-l at opengamingfoundation.org>
Subject: [Open_Gaming_Moderated] Simplified License for Comment and Critique
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2000 10:18:02 -0800

This is not an April Fool's joke.

- --------------------------------------------

I've been working on a simplified version of the OGL.  This OGL-SIMPLIFIED
document fits on two pages at 12pt type.

This version is both a copyright and a trademark license (in truth, I think
the current "full" OGL is too...)

This version is less complex, and achieves that lack of complexity primarily
by getting rid of the concept of a "Larger Work" as originally conceived.

The OGL-SIMPLIFIED simply requires that You identify the Open Game Content
when you distribute it.  Here's a quick FAQ on the effects of that change:

============================================

Q:  What is "Open Game Content"?
A:  Anything you contribute, and anything anyone else contributed, and any
work that is "derivative" or a "translation" of Open Game Content.

Q:  What is a "derivative work"?
A:  There are no hard and fast rules.  Only a court can determine if
something is derivative or not.  In general, a "derivative work" quotes,
relies on, or infers from another work.  If you think you've created a
derivative work, you probably have.

Q:  Can I distribute a derivative work of Open Game Content without using
the Open Game License?
A:  Only if you enter in to a separate agreement with each and every
previous contributor to the work you are deriving from.

Q:  How do I identify something as Open Game Content?
A:  Any way that is a "clear indication".  The specifics are left up to you.

Q;  How do you keep my original copyrights and trademarks separate?
A:  Don't identify them as Open Game Content.

Q:  How do you keep a title, fiction, or artwork separate?
A:  Don't identify them as Open Game Content.

Q:  What happens if I accidentally identify something as Open Game Content
that I wanted to keep separate?
A:  If you have the right to contribute it, it becomes Open Game Content.

Q:  What happens if I identify something as Open Game Content and I don't
have the right to contribute it?
A:  You could be sued by anyone who relied on your representation that you
had the right to contribute the material.  And by the original owner of the
material as well.

Q:  What happens if I distribute something that is Open Game Content and
fail to identify it?
A:  If you refuse to cure the breach of the License in 30 days, you could be
sued for copyright infringement or a trademark violation.

Q:  Who could sue me?
A:  Any person who owns a copyright or a trademark to the material you are
distributing, including the original contributors of derivative works.

============================================

THIS IS A DRAFT VERSION OF THE LICENSE FOR COMMENT AND CRITIQUE IT CANNOT BE
USED AT THIS TIME. APPROVAL TO USE THE LICENSE SHOULD BE GRANTED BEFORE THE
END OF APRIL, 2000

The following text is Copyright 1999, 2000 Wizards of the Coast. All Rights
Reserved. No permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this text in
any media without the prior written consent of the Copyright Holder. To
request such permission, please contact ryand at frpg.com (Ryan Dancey).

OPEN GAME LICENSE (Simplified)

Version .01

1. Definitions:

"Open Game Content" means any work covered by this License, including
translations and derivative works under copyright law.  "Contributor" means
the original copyright and/or trademark owner of material designated by that
person as Open Game Content.

2. The License:

This License applies to any work that contains a notice placed by the
copyright holder saying it must be distributed under the terms of this
License.  Nothing may be added to or subtracted from this License except as
described by the License itself.

3. Offer and Acceptance:

By copying, modifying or distributing the Open Game Content (including the
creation of a derivative work based on the Open Game Content), You indicate
Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

4. Consideration:

In consideration for agreeing to use this License, each Contributor hereby
grants You a perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free, non-exclusive Copyright
and Trademark sublicense with the exact terms of this License to copy,
modify and distribute the material each Contributor designated as Open Game
Content.

5. Representation of Authority to Contribute:

If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You
represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have
sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

6.  Copyrights:

You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the
exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying,
modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date,
and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open
Game Content you distribute.

7.  Trademarks:

The use of any Trademark in Open Game Content does not constitute a
challenge to the ownership of that Trademark.

8.  Identification:

If you distribute Open Game Content in a work that also includes other
content, You must clearly indicate which portions of the work are Open Game
Content.

9. Updating the License:

The Open Game Foundation or its designated Agent(s) may publish updated
versions of this License.  You may use any authorized version of this
License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally
distributed under any version of this License.

10.  Copy of the License:

You must include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game
Content You distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits:

You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any
Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do
so.

12. Inability to Comply:

If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License
with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute,
judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not copy, modify or
distribute any Open Game Material so affected.

13. Termination:

This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all
terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware
of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this
License.

14. Reformation:

If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision
shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v.01 (Simplified), Copyright 2000, Open Game Foundation

------- End of Forwarded Message

--
J C Lawrence                                 Home: claw at kanga.nu
----------(*)                              Other: coder at kanga.nu
--=| A man is as sane as he is dangerous to his environment |=--


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