Legal Question - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Legal Question

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
cnahumck
Aug 24, 2006 18:54:41 Asked on the other boards, but...

If I am writing a something that I wish to put out there and not charge money for, how do I go about using existing material without violating copyright and intellectual property laws? I would be making all information free to all, but there are some things that I would like to use (from athas.org and some of the other non-open gaming content materials) without breaking the law. Is it permissible to simply state that it is necessary to have XYZ products to use this document, and then cite a page number for the entries that I wish to reference so as not to actually copy down any information?

Thanks in advance for this probably silly, probably in the wrong place question.
#2
cnahumck
Aug 26, 2006 11:11:03 Anyone???
#3
zombiegleemax
Sep 03, 2006 23:27:08 I think that as long as you mention the source, and state that the material written is not official, and that you do not intend to violate any legal rights... you may use those things you wish and publish you story/book/novel/poem (whatever). Of course, all of this assuming you do not intend to charge money for your writtings..
#4
cnahumck
Sep 03, 2006 23:52:50 The stuff I want to do would be free to all, following (without officialness) in the wonderfull example set by the great people at athas.org (who's material I wanted to use).

One of the other things that I thought would work would be to just post it all on the forums in thread form, and then have a copy on a webpage that was a collected version all in one spot. Either way is fine with me. I just want to add to a little corner of Athas, that's all.
#5
Pennarin
Sep 04, 2006 4:13:58 Megatherion already did a version of what you're talking about. He took all of the creations in the Forum Archive and mirrored it on his website. Sadly I can't find the link to his website, thought I had noted it...
#6
zombiegleemax
Sep 04, 2006 6:57:32
One of the other things that I thought would work would be to just post it all on the forums in thread form, and then have a copy on a webpage that was a collected version all in one spot. Either way is fine with me. I just want to add to a little corner of Athas, that's all.

Go for it! Btw, what are you intending to do/write?
That's fine too, though I'd rather read it at one directly on one spot at a webpage or a downlodable file... for example.
#7
cnahumck
Sep 04, 2006 7:33:09
Go for it! Btw, what are you intending to do/write?
That's fine too, though I'd rather read it at one directly on one spot at a webpage or a downlodable file... for example.

It is a city far to the north of the tablelands. It is called Bastion, and the small intro to it is here I wanted most of it to be in fluff form, but I have some other things that will require using some Green Age creatures (mainly Guardians). I want to create a few new feats, a few new PrC's, some new items and stuff.
#8
zombiegleemax
Sep 04, 2006 20:48:00
It is a city far to the north of the tablelands. It is called Bastion...

Good! I wish a lot of luck and determination to go on your "quest". Btw, I read the intro you wrote, very good indeed, I liked it.:D
#9
cnahumck
Sep 04, 2006 20:55:24 Thanks, I hope to add to it this week. Grad school started up again, and this year I have a field placement as well, so time must be stolen for purposes of creative play. Self-care and play therapy for chris is very important, even if I prefer it on a barren lifeless desert world that wants to kill me, or rather, my players.
#10
huntercc
Sep 04, 2006 22:59:58
Megatherion already did a version of what you're talking about. He took all of the creations in the Forum Archive and mirrored it on his website. Sadly I can't find the link to his website, thought I had noted it...

I believe it is http://www.shatteredworld.org/ but it looks like he's in the middle of a server upgrade at the moment... so try again later I guess
#11
gab
Sep 06, 2006 8:26:56 If you use any of the 3E mechanics, you must have a copy of the OGL (Open Gaming License) posted with your material (a single link from each page is sufficient, IIRC).

As always, a reference to athas.org must be included if you are using any of our material. Also, you can't make money off our stuff or Wizards'; advertising banners would violate that agreement if you made money from those advertisements. And you must state that your material isn't official. I think that covers most of it.

Wizards Open Gaming policy is available at: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome
#12
cnahumck
Sep 06, 2006 9:19:05 Thanks, I will do this as a netbook then. And of course, free to all who want it. hopefully it will be good.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 cnahumck Aug 24, 2006 18:54:41	Asked on the other boards, but... If I am writing a something that I wish to put out there and not charge money for, how do I go about using existing material without violating copyright and intellectual property laws? I would be making all information free to all, but there are some things that I would like to use (from athas.org and some of the other non-open gaming content materials) without breaking the law. Is it permissible to simply state that it is necessary to have XYZ products to use this document, and then cite a page number for the entries that I wish to reference so as not to actually copy down any information? Thanks in advance for this probably silly, probably in the wrong place question.
#2 cnahumck Aug 26, 2006 11:11:03	Anyone???
#3 zombiegleemax Sep 03, 2006 23:27:08	I think that as long as you mention the source, and state that the material written is not official, and that you do not intend to violate any legal rights... you may use those things you wish and publish you story/book/novel/poem (whatever). Of course, all of this assuming you do not intend to charge money for your writtings..
#4 cnahumck Sep 03, 2006 23:52:50	The stuff I want to do would be free to all, following (without officialness) in the wonderfull example set by the great people at athas.org (who's material I wanted to use). One of the other things that I thought would work would be to just post it all on the forums in thread form, and then have a copy on a webpage that was a collected version all in one spot. Either way is fine with me. I just want to add to a little corner of Athas, that's all.
#5 Pennarin Sep 04, 2006 4:13:58	Megatherion already did a version of what you're talking about. He took all of the creations in the Forum Archive and mirrored it on his website. Sadly I can't find the link to his website, thought I had noted it...
#6 zombiegleemax Sep 04, 2006 6:57:32	One of the other things that I thought would work would be to just post it all on the forums in thread form, and then have a copy on a webpage that was a collected version all in one spot. Either way is fine with me. I just want to add to a little corner of Athas, that's all. Go for it! Btw, what are you intending to do/write? That's fine too, though I'd rather read it at one directly on one spot at a webpage or a downlodable file... for example.
#7 cnahumck Sep 04, 2006 7:33:09	Go for it! Btw, what are you intending to do/write? That's fine too, though I'd rather read it at one directly on one spot at a webpage or a downlodable file... for example. It is a city far to the north of the tablelands. It is called Bastion, and the small intro to it is here I wanted most of it to be in fluff form, but I have some other things that will require using some Green Age creatures (mainly Guardians). I want to create a few new feats, a few new PrC's, some new items and stuff.
#8 zombiegleemax Sep 04, 2006 20:48:00	It is a city far to the north of the tablelands. It is called Bastion... Good! I wish a lot of luck and determination to go on your "quest". Btw, I read the intro you wrote, very good indeed, I liked it.:D
#9 cnahumck Sep 04, 2006 20:55:24	Thanks, I hope to add to it this week. Grad school started up again, and this year I have a field placement as well, so time must be stolen for purposes of creative play. Self-care and play therapy for chris is very important, even if I prefer it on a barren lifeless desert world that wants to kill me, or rather, my players.
#10 huntercc Sep 04, 2006 22:59:58	Megatherion already did a version of what you're talking about. He took all of the creations in the Forum Archive and mirrored it on his website. Sadly I can't find the link to his website, thought I had noted it... I believe it is http://www.shatteredworld.org/ but it looks like he's in the middle of a server upgrade at the moment... so try again later I guess
#11 gab Sep 06, 2006 8:26:56	If you use any of the 3E mechanics, you must have a copy of the OGL (Open Gaming License) posted with your material (a single link from each page is sufficient, IIRC). As always, a reference to athas.org must be included if you are using any of our material. Also, you can't make money off our stuff or Wizards'; advertising banners would violate that agreement if you made money from those advertisements. And you must state that your material isn't official. I think that covers most of it. Wizards Open Gaming policy is available at: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome
#12 cnahumck Sep 06, 2006 9:19:05	Thanks, I will do this as a netbook then. And of course, free to all who want it. hopefully it will be good.