While specific to my interest are some major features of the Drow (race name, living underground, dark skin, matriarchal society, arachnophilia).
This thread can be so much more than the title implies.
If anyone understands the OGL (open game license) feel free to help explain that too.
In my case, I just want to write something about a race similar to the ecology of the Drow. But I pretty much have my own take on all of it...from what I can tell as long as I don't use proper names, place names, or forgotten realms specific content then I should be able to write about Drow....even superficially DnD type Drow.
Because some of their features are super cool but largely generic and certainly not unique to forgotten realms or a specific character.
And WotC didnt list Drow as product identity.
Feel free to talk about any of your own characters/stories/game content and to turn this thread into as much about what you can publish as you may desire.
Apparently you can publish stuff under OGL and Dungeon Masters Guild.
While I'm not concerned about it, if someone wants to also discuss that then I'd welcome the knowledge.
Heres example of what can be published under what license. I dont understand any of it.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
Very interesting! Thanks. Your reply was pretty straightforward.
Out of intellectual curiosity (because I have no intentions to write about forgotten realms or existing D&D inspired literature), I was wondering if R. A. Salvatore had to pay royalties to whoever owns D&D publications at the time, or if he was able to write all that material under his own intellectual property.
It's a question I wish I could ask him.
But it's an academic one, because what I'm currently writing now is much more generalize than that. None of the characters are existing characters nor inspired by them (since I've never read any D&D related books), it doesn't take place in any specific realm like Forgotten Realms or "the Sword Coast" or Skyrim or anything like that.
About the closest it gets to D&D is the word "Drow", the fact they are dark elves, and their general ecology, though even that I'm changing somewhat but keeping the matriarchal structure because I want to explore what a matriarchal society would look like from the male's perspective.
I've even taken away their iconic use of poison spells and replaced it with acids. Because they have actual poison so why cast it as a spell.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Well, yes, "dark elves" are not copyrighted, but the word "drow" might be. The only reason why I suggest this is because Pathfinder has dark elves in it too, but they do not call them drow, nor is their wicked step-goddess named Lolth. WotC owns licenses for a few more famous and recognizable monsters, including mind flayers and rust monsters. It's feasible drow fall into that as well.
In general, copyright applies to a work, not to a single word. If you make up a word and want to protect your use of it, that's what trademarks are for. Trademarks are publicly searchable, and a search reveals that the only trademark applying to the word "drow" is unrelated to D&D and applies to music recordings.
Now, if you take too many elements of a copyrighted work in your new work, it may be found to be a "derivative work". If the derivative work is unauthorized, it may infringe upon the original work's copyright or it may be fair use. Fair use is an important concept, but it is also extremely specific to the facts of the work in question, so it's hard to give a definitive guide to determining if something is fair use.
However, there is good news! Wizards of the Coast does not mind certain kinds of derivative works so long as they are in keeping with their Fan Content Policy. The fan content policy is a different license from the OGL and covers different things, but so long as you are following the terms of the Fan Content Policy, you don't need to worry about fair use with regards to their copyright. If you don't want to follow the Fan Content Policy, you don't have to. By not following the policy, you have more freedom about what you can do with your creation, but are more restricted in what can be in it (again, you don't want to end up in a legal fight over fair use and derivative works).
In general, copyright applies to a work, not to a single word. If you make up a word and want to protect your use of it, that's what trademarks are for. Trademarks are publicly searchable, and a search reveals that the only trademark applying to the word "drow" is unrelated to D&D and applies to music recordings.
Now, if you take too many elements of a copyrighted work in your new work, it may be found to be a "derivative work". If the derivative work is unauthorized, it may infringe upon the original work's copyright or it may be fair use. Fair use is an important concept, but it is also extremely specific to the facts of the work in question, so it's hard to give a definitive guide to determining if something is fair use.
However, there is good news! Wizards of the Coast does not mind certain kinds of derivative works so long as they are in keeping with their Fan Content Policy. The fan content policy is a different license from the OGL and covers different things, but so long as you are following the terms of the Fan Content Policy, you don't need to worry about fair use with regards to their copyright. If you don't want to follow the Fan Content Policy, you don't have to. By not following the policy, you have more freedom about what you can do with your creation, but are more restricted in what can be in it (again, you don't want to end up in a legal fight over fair use and derivative works).
Very cool, great find.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
Very interesting! Thanks. Your reply was pretty straightforward.
Out of intellectual curiosity (because I have no intentions to write about forgotten realms or existing D&D inspired literature), I was wondering if R. A. Salvatore had to pay royalties to whoever owns D&D publications at the time, or if he was able to write all that material under his own intellectual property.
It's a question I wish I could ask him.
But it's an academic one, because what I'm currently writing now is much more generalize than that. None of the characters are existing characters nor inspired by them (since I've never read any D&D related books), it doesn't take place in any specific realm like Forgotten Realms or "the Sword Coast" or Skyrim or anything like that.
About the closest it gets to D&D is the word "Drow", the fact they are dark elves, and their general ecology, though even that I'm changing somewhat but keeping the matriarchal structure because I want to explore what a matriarchal society would look like from the male's perspective.
I've even taken away their iconic use of poison spells and replaced it with acids. Because they have actual poison so why cast it as a spell.
R.A. Salvatore actually works for Wizards in the production of their Forgotten Realms Novels, those books are all licensed Wizards products and if I'm not mistaken you can find the Wizard of the Coast Logo on them as well... yup, and even DND branding now too
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
Very interesting! Thanks. Your reply was pretty straightforward.
Out of intellectual curiosity (because I have no intentions to write about forgotten realms or existing D&D inspired literature), I was wondering if R. A. Salvatore had to pay royalties to whoever owns D&D publications at the time, or if he was able to write all that material under his own intellectual property.
It's a question I wish I could ask him.
But it's an academic one, because what I'm currently writing now is much more generalize than that. None of the characters are existing characters nor inspired by them (since I've never read any D&D related books), it doesn't take place in any specific realm like Forgotten Realms or "the Sword Coast" or Skyrim or anything like that.
About the closest it gets to D&D is the word "Drow", the fact they are dark elves, and their general ecology, though even that I'm changing somewhat but keeping the matriarchal structure because I want to explore what a matriarchal society would look like from the male's perspective.
I've even taken away their iconic use of poison spells and replaced it with acids. Because they have actual poison so why cast it as a spell.
R.A. Salvatore actually works for Wizards in the production of their Forgotten Realms Novels, those books are all licensed Wizards products and if I'm not mistaken you can find the Wizard of the Coast Logo on them as well... yup, and even DND branding now too
Cool, yeah after I posted that post, I looked back at Wikipedia and saw that he worked with a named editor who at the time was the editor for TSR, which indirectly told me yep he worked for D&D basically.
Thanks for demonstrating that absolutely.
I'm still posting my fantasy stories on the "stories and lore" but otherwise they still seem generic enough. But I like sharing the chapters on here because I figure it's entertaining to like minded persons.
If you want to read the first chapters of each story arc you can find them in my signature.
From what I've seen so far I'm not necessarily infringing any intellectual property, which is good because I'd like to sell some of my writings (even my own completely self derived science fiction) someday without hassle.
But I'd also like to avoid the "dick move" of being too similar to already published/created ideas.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
Very interesting! Thanks. Your reply was pretty straightforward.
Out of intellectual curiosity (because I have no intentions to write about forgotten realms or existing D&D inspired literature), I was wondering if R. A. Salvatore had to pay royalties to whoever owns D&D publications at the time, or if he was able to write all that material under his own intellectual property.
It's a question I wish I could ask him.
But it's an academic one, because what I'm currently writing now is much more generalize than that. None of the characters are existing characters nor inspired by them (since I've never read any D&D related books), it doesn't take place in any specific realm like Forgotten Realms or "the Sword Coast" or Skyrim or anything like that.
About the closest it gets to D&D is the word "Drow", the fact they are dark elves, and their general ecology, though even that I'm changing somewhat but keeping the matriarchal structure because I want to explore what a matriarchal society would look like from the male's perspective.
I've even taken away their iconic use of poison spells and replaced it with acids. Because they have actual poison so why cast it as a spell.
R.A. Salvatore actually works for Wizards in the production of their Forgotten Realms Novels, those books are all licensed Wizards products and if I'm not mistaken you can find the Wizard of the Coast Logo on them as well... yup, and even DND branding now too
Yes, R.A. Salvatore was contracted by WotC to write them, that is why when Hero (i believe) was coming out, it was to be the last FR novel as WotC decided to close that part of the business, but have obviously relented some and have contracted Bob to work on a few more since we now have Timeless. If you look up Bob and James M. Ward on facebook, they could tell you more as Mr. Ward was in charge of product development and had a pretty good hand in most of the early works (the whole Cuthulu/Melnibonean in the Dieties and Demigods is a good story about getting and keeping documentation when someone says you can use their work in your product and why we have two different versions with different page counts.) but alas, i regress.....
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
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While specific to my interest are some major features of the Drow (race name, living underground, dark skin, matriarchal society, arachnophilia).
This thread can be so much more than the title implies.
If anyone understands the OGL (open game license) feel free to help explain that too.
In my case, I just want to write something about a race similar to the ecology of the Drow. But I pretty much have my own take on all of it...from what I can tell as long as I don't use proper names, place names, or forgotten realms specific content then I should be able to write about Drow....even superficially DnD type Drow.
Because some of their features are super cool but largely generic and certainly not unique to forgotten realms or a specific character.
And WotC didnt list Drow as product identity.
Feel free to talk about any of your own characters/stories/game content and to turn this thread into as much about what you can publish as you may desire.
Apparently you can publish stuff under OGL and Dungeon Masters Guild.
While I'm not concerned about it, if someone wants to also discuss that then I'd welcome the knowledge.
Heres example of what can be published under what license. I dont understand any of it.
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Simeon Tor:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/34598-simeon-tor-chapter-1-the-heat-of-battle
The Heart of the Drow:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/36014-heart-of-the-drow-chapter-1
I am not a lawyer, and I don't work for Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Curse, or Fandom. The following is my lay understanding of the issue.
The contents of all official D&D publications are copyrighted, with the copyright owned by Wizards of the Coast. However, the concept of dark elves is not at all owned by Wizards of the Coast. They originate from Norse myth, and some very D&D-esque looking dark elves have appeared in Marvel comics, The Elder Scrolls series, and beyond.
The Open Game License is a specific license for reusing and modifying the SRD. The SRD is a publication of Wizards of the Coast and is also copyrighted. So if in order to write something you need to reproduce copyrighted material from the System Reference Document, you may do so under the terms of the Open Game License or under a separate license negotiated between you and Wizards of the Coast. However, the idea of drow is uncopyrightable because you cannot copyright an idea, only the particular expression of the idea.
As a sidenote, the concept of product identity was invented by Wizards of the Coast for the purposes of the Open Game License. Unless you are using copyrighted material under the terms of the Open Game License, product identity doesn't mean anything.
Very interesting! Thanks. Your reply was pretty straightforward.
Out of intellectual curiosity (because I have no intentions to write about forgotten realms or existing D&D inspired literature), I was wondering if R. A. Salvatore had to pay royalties to whoever owns D&D publications at the time, or if he was able to write all that material under his own intellectual property.
It's a question I wish I could ask him.
But it's an academic one, because what I'm currently writing now is much more generalize than that. None of the characters are existing characters nor inspired by them (since I've never read any D&D related books), it doesn't take place in any specific realm like Forgotten Realms or "the Sword Coast" or Skyrim or anything like that.
About the closest it gets to D&D is the word "Drow", the fact they are dark elves, and their general ecology, though even that I'm changing somewhat but keeping the matriarchal structure because I want to explore what a matriarchal society would look like from the male's perspective.
I've even taken away their iconic use of poison spells and replaced it with acids. Because they have actual poison so why cast it as a spell.
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Simeon Tor:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/34598-simeon-tor-chapter-1-the-heat-of-battle
The Heart of the Drow:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/36014-heart-of-the-drow-chapter-1
Well, yes, "dark elves" are not copyrighted, but the word "drow" might be. The only reason why I suggest this is because Pathfinder has dark elves in it too, but they do not call them drow, nor is their wicked step-goddess named Lolth. WotC owns licenses for a few more famous and recognizable monsters, including mind flayers and rust monsters. It's feasible drow fall into that as well.
"The Epic Level Handbook wasn't that bad, guys.
Guys, pls."
In general, copyright applies to a work, not to a single word. If you make up a word and want to protect your use of it, that's what trademarks are for. Trademarks are publicly searchable, and a search reveals that the only trademark applying to the word "drow" is unrelated to D&D and applies to music recordings.
Now, if you take too many elements of a copyrighted work in your new work, it may be found to be a "derivative work". If the derivative work is unauthorized, it may infringe upon the original work's copyright or it may be fair use. Fair use is an important concept, but it is also extremely specific to the facts of the work in question, so it's hard to give a definitive guide to determining if something is fair use.
However, there is good news! Wizards of the Coast does not mind certain kinds of derivative works so long as they are in keeping with their Fan Content Policy. The fan content policy is a different license from the OGL and covers different things, but so long as you are following the terms of the Fan Content Policy, you don't need to worry about fair use with regards to their copyright. If you don't want to follow the Fan Content Policy, you don't have to. By not following the policy, you have more freedom about what you can do with your creation, but are more restricted in what can be in it (again, you don't want to end up in a legal fight over fair use and derivative works).
Very cool, great find.
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Simeon Tor:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/34598-simeon-tor-chapter-1-the-heat-of-battle
The Heart of the Drow:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/36014-heart-of-the-drow-chapter-1
R.A. Salvatore actually works for Wizards in the production of their Forgotten Realms Novels, those books are all licensed Wizards products and if I'm not mistaken you can find the Wizard of the Coast Logo on them as well... yup, and even DND branding now too
Cool, yeah after I posted that post, I looked back at Wikipedia and saw that he worked with a named editor who at the time was the editor for TSR, which indirectly told me yep he worked for D&D basically.
Thanks for demonstrating that absolutely.
I'm still posting my fantasy stories on the "stories and lore" but otherwise they still seem generic enough. But I like sharing the chapters on here because I figure it's entertaining to like minded persons.
If you want to read the first chapters of each story arc you can find them in my signature.
From what I've seen so far I'm not necessarily infringing any intellectual property, which is good because I'd like to sell some of my writings (even my own completely self derived science fiction) someday without hassle.
But I'd also like to avoid the "dick move" of being too similar to already published/created ideas.
Read the first chapters. Feel free to critique. Will link the next chapters at the end of the first. Two stories running so far.
Simeon Tor:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/34598-simeon-tor-chapter-1-the-heat-of-battle
The Heart of the Drow:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/36014-heart-of-the-drow-chapter-1
Yes, R.A. Salvatore was contracted by WotC to write them, that is why when Hero (i believe) was coming out, it was to be the last FR novel as WotC decided to close that part of the business, but have obviously relented some and have contracted Bob to work on a few more since we now have Timeless. If you look up Bob and James M. Ward on facebook, they could tell you more as Mr. Ward was in charge of product development and had a pretty good hand in most of the early works (the whole Cuthulu/Melnibonean in the Dieties and Demigods is a good story about getting and keeping documentation when someone says you can use their work in your product and why we have two different versions with different page counts.) but alas, i regress.....
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.