The OGL and C&C

Open Discussion on all things C&C from new product to general questions to the rules, the laws, and the chaos.
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EldradWolfsbane
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The OGL and C&C

Post by EldradWolfsbane »

So is C&C fully OGL?

Can anyone who want's to publish a C&C compatible product do so?

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Arduin
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by Arduin »

EldradWolfsbane wrote:So is C&C fully OGL?

Can anyone who want's to publish a C&C compatible product do so?
One can publish anything they like as long as it doesn't infringe upon someone else's I.P. What is "open content" in C&C books is clearly delineated as such...
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trashheap
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by trashheap »

Arduin wrote:
EldradWolfsbane wrote:So is C&C fully OGL?
One can publish anything they like as long as it doesn't infringe upon someone else's I.P. What is "open content" in C&C books is clearly delineated as such...
Actually, I had been a little curious as to this point as well. Is there a SRD somewhere? I believe the books do clearly define what is in the OGL in their licensing section, but I had not seen anything spelled out in a separate document.

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Sir Ironside
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by Sir Ironside »

You cannot protect rules, for a game. You can protect wordings and phrases that are unique to the game. In other words plagiarize directly what is written. Nor, can you create a game (Using existing rules or not) called Castles & Crusades, but you can mention a product name that isn't in direct competition with Castles & Crusades such as something used in a review, story or blog or the like. The actual name of Castles & Crusades or Troll Lord Games do not fall under the guise of IP. These both are trademarks and they differ from IP. You can mention a trademarked name in a story you write no matter how it reflects that trademark. (I drank too much Pepsi cola, and now it is starting to burn a hole on my stomach and I need a operation.) I do not need to change that sentence no matter what Pepsi does either legally or through intimidation. The big words are cease and desist, or defamation or libel. You can't defame a trademark or a product, just a person or corporation. Even then you can defame or use libel if it isn't fictional writing but you have proof of any wrong doings. The story is the action of the person/corporation and not just made up writing or reporting. (See the story of Enron) for an example. Freedom of the press, trumps defamation of character or wrong doings of a corporation. Enron can't illegally steal billions of dollars and then hide behind the defamation law.

In other words you can use Strength, Endurance, Intelligence etc. In a game that is in direct competition with D&D but you have to use your own words and phrases to describe how they relate to the game.

What allowances the OGL is offering I'm unsure of, as I've taken little interest in reading the wall of text and legal jargon that makes up the OGL. The OGL for FATE allows you to directly quote or use anything that is rules related that is in; Spirit of the Century. You do not have to skirt or rely on changing the the content that is used to describe the rules for FATE. In other words you are allowed to plagiarize direct quotes from; Spirit of the Century. Look at Spirit and compare it to; Starblazer Adventures. The rules are exactly the same as Spirit in describing the rules and uses direct quotes of examples of skills and stunts that are directly lifted from Spirit.

Edit: I should mention that you can use the name; Castles & Crusades, in other products, that are not in direct competition with the rpg. Like; Castle and Crusades mouth wash or; Castle & Crusades The history of the Crusades 1095 to 1099 book.
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Arduin
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by Arduin »

trashheap wrote:
Arduin wrote: Actually, I had been a little curious as to this point as well. Is there a SRD somewhere? I believe the books do clearly define what is in the OGL in their licensing section, but I had not seen anything spelled out in a separate document.
To my knowledge, TL's hasn't opened up any of its I.P. via an SRD under the OGL for C&C. Hence, you wouldn't have seen anything "spelled out in a separate doc".
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gideon_thorne
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by gideon_thorne »

If you want to use any of the C&C name's, logo's and the like, yes, your going to need a licence from TLG. The game isn't fully open game content, no. There are parts closed off.

And no, there's no official SRD around.
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smug
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by smug »

Is there a list of the non-OGL rules?

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Arduin
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by Arduin »

smug wrote:Is there a list of the non-OGL rules?
Only in the rule books. But, it is simple enough to read the disclosures.
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Peter
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Re: The OGL and C&C

Post by Peter »

Here is a list of OGC that I know of.

Player's Handbook: All text appearing in the following sections and subsections, listed by page number - page 6, “Dice”; page 7-8, “The Six Attributes”, “Generating Attribute Scores”, “Attribute Modifiers”, and the attribute modier table; page 8, “Class Description Terminology”; pages 9 to 30, the “Abilities” subsection of each class, the summary of class features (prime attribute, hit dice, alignment, weapon and armor allowed, and abilities), and the class tables showing HD, BtH, and EPP per level; page 31, the description of languages, size,movement, typical classes, attribute modifiers, class modifiers; page 32-37, the “Abilities” subsection of each race; pages 38-39, “Alignment”, “Law and Chaos”, “Good and Evil”, “Alignments”; page 40, “Starting Coin”; equipment lists on pages 40-43; pages 44-45, “Determining Encumbrance”, “Ad Hoc Encumbrance”, “Encumbrance Formula”, “Worn and Capacity Objects”, “ Affects of Encumbrance”; all text appearing on pages 46-104; pages 112-113, “Types of Saving Throws”; all text appearing on pages 114-120; page 120-121, “Damage”; page 121-122, “Turning Undead”; page 122-123, “Experience Points”, “Gaining Levels”, “Treasure”, “Movement”, “Spell Resistance”, “Languages”, “Vision”, “Time”.

Monsters & Treasure: Everything except the section "Upon the Edge of Battle Lie the Spoils of Glory"

Of Gods & Monsters: God Like Attributes, Intelligence Chart, Monsters Appearing on pages 18-25, 33, 43-45, 50, 59, 68, 76, 83, 85, 93, 101, 111, 128, 135, 146; Spells Appearing on Pages 17, 32, 41-42, 49, 58, 66-67, 75, 82, 83, 92, 100, 110, 127, 134, 145

Castle Keepers Guide: Expanded Class Abilities, FATE Points in the SIEGE Engine via http://www.grey-elf.com/candc/fatepoints.pdf

The Black Libram of Nartarus: Monsters via Tome of Horrors: Barrow Wight, Bhuta, Bogeyman, Brine Zombie, Brykolaka, Cinder Ghoul, Crypt Thing, Demilich, Draug, Dust Ghoul, Fear Guard, Fire Phantom, Hoar Spirit, Lantern Goat, Mortuary Cyclone, Mummy of the Deep, Red Jester, Shadow (Lesser), Shadow Rat, Shadow Rat (Swarm), Wolf (Ghoul), Wolf (Shadow)

Castle Zagyg: Class Options & Skills: Everything except the section "Notes On Dual-Class and Multi-Classing"

Crusader #4: Monsters: Mist Elves; Sections: Multi-classing Guidelines, Characters with More Class, Multi-classes as Classes

Verdant Rage (Donated via Mike Stewart): Magic Items: The Liber Mortis, Monsters: Croaking Horror, Grave Mold, Wuggs

Shadows of the Halfling Hall (Donated via Mike Stewart): Monsters: Awakener, Bag O’Bones, Death Grip

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