Alternate routes to True20 publishing?

[Tim Gray]

This is absolutely not an attempt to rock the boat. I'm just trying to feel out possibilities (I'm also considering using my own system or alternate licensing of others). It's all hypothetical.

Those of us whose settings have not been accepted in the True20 setting search competition will not be published in the two books, and will not get a free licence to use the True20 logo on supplementary products. However, do we have other options to release the material we've developed for the system? For example, if I wanted to package up my setting as a pdf on RPGNow and just say it was for True20 in the description, would that be possible?

I suppose I'm after two things here. One is what's technically allowable under the OGL and whatever, which I admit I don't understand well (having never needed to work with it up to now). The second is how the folks at Green Ronin would regard this sort of activity. (I for one have no interest in bulldozing through on technicalities and pissing people off along the way.)

[damiller]

As far as I understand True20 is Product Identity and cannot be used by you without permission, even to say that your product uses True20.

However, the mechanics are OGL, and require no permission to use. You just can't say you are using True20 mechanics. You have to all your ruleset something different.

Now would GR folks be happy if you did that, probably not. But it is not illegal and you could not be prosecuted for using the OGL.

that is how I understand it.
d

[timemrick]

The setting search winners get a royalty-free license to use the True20 brand name. If you're not one of them, it's still possible to get a royalty-based license, just more difficult due to GR's limited time to review new proposals and other reasons. From the True20 FAQ thread:

OK, then can other publishers license True20 directly from Green Ronin?

As we've said, we'd prefer that interested publishers get involved in the setting search. However, publishers that are serious enough to want to enter a formal, royalty-based licensing agreement can contact us if they want to enter negotiations.

Without the license, you can use the Open Game Content, but you can't legally indicate compatibility with True20.

[LeaderDesslok]

Perhaps when one of the GR folks (SassyRonin or NikChick) return from their Turkey Day adventures, they might have some information as to when the licensing policies will be announced? It's only November, but I'm quite certain the legalities are being discussed.

[Tim Gray]

I think this is the same question as Desslok's... I'd be interested to find out what the separate licensing deal would be, just to see whether it's a ballpark I could play in (and compare it to the other ballparks).

I'm guessing that this option won't come on-stream till after the print book is out, and maybe won't even be announced until then. It'd be useful if someone from GR came on and said something along the lines of, "If you're serious about wanting a paid license, we expect to have details available and start working with people in March" (or whatever the actual answer is).

[Nikchick]

I think this is the same question as Desslok's... I'd be interested to find out what the separate licensing deal would be, just to see whether it's a ballpark I could play in (and compare it to the other ballparks).

I'm guessing that this option won't come on-stream till after the print book is out, and maybe won't even be announced until then. It'd be useful if someone from GR came on and said something along the lines of, "If you're serious about wanting a paid license, we expect to have details available and start working with people in March" (or whatever the actual answer is).

If you're serious about wanting a paid license, we expect to have details available and start working with people in March.

[Tim Gray]

I have the power!

[Warbringer]

Depending on the cost, I'm interested.

In fact, Tim. Any interest in forming an LLC?