Thoughts on using Monsters covered by Open Gaming License (OGL) with Novus

[whystle]

I was thinking that there are some monsters in the D20SRD covered by the Open Game License (OGL) that would be interesting to convert to Novus.

So, I wonder if someone were to do this and post here as 'fan materials' for use by the community (following all the legal requirements as documented in the OGL and by Firehawk games Licensing Novus documentation), would that be appropriate?

Then I read the OGL and realized that Product Identity would be a problem, since in converting some of the abilities and powers, reference would be made to terms used by NOVUS which is copyright and Product Identity of Firehawk Games.

Perhaps usage or reference to the NOVUS RPG would be covered by the NOVUS Fan Materials License; and whether inclusion of that text to declare Firehawk Game's Product Identity in the OGL would be ok. But that might fall under the 'free e-zines' restriction.

Even if permitted, the OGL requires one to clearly define Open Game Content(OGC). So then there is the problem of how to differentiate between Firehawk Games copyrighted material and OGC.  I hit a wall here. I guess you could use box text or bold any reference to any NOVUS terms. 

If that were possible to use boxed text then maybe a Product Identity statement could look like:

Product Identity: This game references the Novus RPG, available from Firehawk Games at www.firehawkgames.biz. Novus and all associated logos and trademarks are copyrights of Firehawk Games. Used with permission. Firehawk Games makes no representation or warranty as to the quality, viability, or suitability for purpose of this product. EVERYTHING EXCEPT BOXED CONTENT IS DECLARED AS BEING OPEN GAME CONTENT.   BOXED CONTENT USES MATERIAL FROM THE NOVUS RPG AND IS SUBJECT TO THE COPYRIGHT OF FIREHAWK GAMES. USED WITH PERMISSION OF FIREHAWK GAMES.

I think this is more complicated than I initially thought - I think I'll stick to original creations or those derived from mythology or public domain, for posting here. But I post these rambling thoughts here anyway for possible feedback- perhaps others have thought about OGL conversions too.

[imported_Rasyr]

That sort of things is always problematical in the long run -- especially as it leads to split IP which can always be problematic. It would definitely require some more research before I would be comfortable in saying more about it.


However, there is nothing stopping the creation of new monsters from scratch, inspired by some other source. Just don't violate anybody's copyrights.

[mitchw]

Hmm, if the entire document (just monsters) was a separate, stand alone volume, I bet it could be made OGL without making any of Novus OGL.

IANAL but it sounds reasonable...

Mitch

[imported_Rasyr]

Part of the question is "how much would be Open Content?"

For creatures that are common among many games, there is no problem, just do a Novus version and there is no need for any Open Content.

For creatures that are unique to the OGL - http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/monsters.htm - What portion of what is written would be OGL?

Let's look at the Bugbear - http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/bugbear.htm -  (only because I already have some Bugbear art that I plan on using to stat these guys out, but I also plan on calling them "Ursoc" not Bugbears). The name itself would be OGL, that much is sure because many other games do not have Bugbears, so we cannot use the name without using the OGL, but what about the rest? We don't need/use the stats? So no OGL there. We don't need or use the "Combat" section, although we may write up something similar, we won't be using that text. So no OGL there. Any special abilities that it might have - we will be using the Novus equivalents, so there won't likely be anything there that is OGL.

This is likely to be the case for many creatures - the idea (which cannot be copyrighted) can be used to create new critters for Novus from scratch for the most part, providing inspiration. It would appear that only those names which belong to the OGL and which are not in common usage for standard monsters could be considered to be OGL...

At least that is how it seems to me...

[Trentin Bergeron]

The term "bugbear" is not IP. If it's in the SRD, it's simply Open Content.

Using the term is not a copyright infringement depending on HOW you present it.

For example, I could have a monster Bear infected and controlled by large centipede like insects. It flings "egg sacs" at you in an attempt to use your corpse as a breeding ground.

There, a new monster called a bugbear, but not a "goblin sub-type commonly found with goblins".

Also, if you release anything as Open Content under the OGL, you have to designate what is OGC (Open Game Content) and IP (intellectual property). So, how would you release Novus (non-OGL game) stats as Open Content? The original game mechanics are not OGL. All you could do was release the "fluff" you came up with.  Generally, not very satisfying.

I have two suggestions;

1) Come up with a conversion document. d20 to Novus. Then you can steal and use OGL monsters in any Novus game. Also, this encourages people to buy books from both companies, so people aren't being screwed out of sales.
2) Come up with new and interesting monsters inspired by stuff you have read, played and viewed. Many authors are influenced by the various media they are in to. Just don't steal proper names or presentation. Be inspired to create something new, not inspired to plagiarize.

[imported_Rasyr]

In regards to the bugbear --

I have artwork, that I purchased, that depicts a D&D Bugbear (I liked the image). My plan is to use that image to create the Ursoc (i.e. the creature will be based on the image, NOT on any stats or write-ups from d20 SRD).

As for other creatures -- there are a number of staple creatures that are in D&D as well as many other game systems. Those sorts of staple critters, we can create Novus versions (without copying from other systems) quite easily. For the more unique critters -- if somebody wanted to create a conversion doc for monsters, I would be happy to post it in the Downloads area for folks to get (so long as it followed OGL guidelines properly.

Please note that above, I do prefer creating critters from scratch, from inspirations, not copying/converting them from other systems.