I know it will let you do it, but is it assumed by DDB and WotC that when you do that you have purchased the content?
You may have seen multiple posts which have mentioned there is no current way to verify a person has purchased any given hard-copy book. That means it is also not currently possible to verify a person has not purchased any given hard-copy book.
So if you find some way to have the information contained within those books and manual enter it as non-public homebrew on D&D Beyond, they aren't going to assume anything about where or how you got that material - but they are also not going to waste any effort trying to find out how or where you got it.
I know it will let you do it, but is it assumed by DDB and WotC that when you do that you have purchased the content? Is this one of those IP things where it only needs 1 legal usage even if there are 100 illegal ways to use it?
Yes, it is assumed that if you're entering information from the Player's Handbook, or other books, as personal homebrew, it's because you own the book that you're using to source this information.
"I want to pull out it's tongue so Timbity can use it as a whip."- W
Scarlet is a red haired wood elf. She is wearing a semi-formal red dress and her green cloak with silver lining. She has a beat up old scimitar at her side. She has dark green eyes and a feather in her hair. Her skin is well tanned.
Once more, I ask: how would you validate the physical books purchase? UPC code, or any other code currently present in the physical books, is not a valid answer, for the simple fact that there is not unique and different code associate with each and every single copy of the book. Anyone can check, I can post a picture of my own books.
So, again, how would anyone validate their purchase? If there was a way, that would be awesome, I'd be the first one to rejoice, even though I have already bought the Legendary Bundle here, I'd be happy for everyone currently finding the need to pay for the content (at a price that is FAR from full, as the promoter of the petition states deceivingly) outrageous. As things stand now, though, there is no way to validate any purchase made before DDB went live, or any purchase done since, for that matter, because there is no single, unique and different code associated with each copy of the books.
To quote a couple of comparisons I did in another post:
You buy a book. Years later, this nice little thing they call eBook reader comes out. You like the idea and would like to give it a go. Lo and behold, they do not give you free access to the same book you have in your library, bought from your local bookstore. Not only that, you would technically need to buy a specific device in order to use this new technology at 100%.
You buy a movie in DVD. Years later, a new way of watching movies comes about, the Blu-ray. Now again, you cannot have the Blu-ray of the movie you own on DVD for free.
Added a section to the OP talking about how the homebrew system gives you the ability to not have to purchase anything a second time unless you want the full text and artwork, which the team at D&D Beyond is not legally capable of providing for free.
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How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat On - Mod Hat Off
Added a section to the OP talking about how the homebrew system gives you the ability to not have to purchase anything a second time unless you want the full text and artwork, which the team at D&D Beyond is not legally capable of providing for free.
That's for adding the appropriate caveat with classes too!
I was adding this in for those who are interested. I personally agree with the petition but I also see Lek's point. Even though i'm somewhat biased I'm going to try and be open-minded about this topic.
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"I want to pull out it's tongue so Timbity can use it as a whip."- W
Scarlet is a red haired wood elf. She is wearing a semi-formal red dress and her green cloak with silver lining. She has a beat up old scimitar at her side. She has dark green eyes and a feather in her hair. Her skin is well tanned.
Once more, I ask: how would you validate the physical books purchase? UPC code, or any other code currently present in the physical books, is not a valid answer, for the simple fact that there is not unique and different code associate with each and every single copy of the book. Anyone can check, I can post a picture of my own books.
So, again, how would anyone validate their purchase? If there was a way, that would be awesome, I'd be the first one to rejoice, even though I have already bought the Legendary Bundle here, I'd be happy for everyone currently finding the need to pay for the content (at a price that is FAR from full, as the promoter of the petition states deceivingly) outrageous. As things stand now, though, there is no way to validate any purchase made before DDB went live, or any purchase done since, for that matter, because there is no single, unique and different code associated with each copy of the books.
To quote a couple of comparisons I did in another post:
You buy a book. Years later, this nice little thing they call eBook reader comes out. You like the idea and would like to give it a go. Lo and behold, they do not give you free access to the same book you have in your library, bought from your local bookstore. Not only that, you would technically need to buy a specific device in order to use this new technology at 100%.
You buy a movie in DVD. Years later, a new way of watching movies comes about, the Blu-ray. Now again, you cannot have the Blu-ray of the movie you own on DVD for free.
(I'd be happy to be proven wrong, really)
Actually, when you buy the Blu-Ray movie you get a CODE so it becomes available on streaming services... Why couldn't WoTC put similar types of codes into the books that would unlock content on other toolsets? In my opinion, the content should only be paid for once... but, if I want to use the DDB toolset, I need to pony up the cash...or Roll20, give them my credit card number.
I was adding this in for those who are interested. I personally agree with the petition but I also see Lek's point. Even though i'm somewhat biased I'm going to try and be open-minded about this topic.
And it is perfectly in your right, but a petition like this, which sound much more like a rant than something with an actual plan and direction, is counterproductive at best, as it risks just fueling malcontent by spreading misinformation.
I am not going to repeat here again what has been already said by me and many others on the real capabilities of DDB, as I am not telling anyone to shut up or saying complains are stupid. I am just asking to be given a path, a plan on how this can be achieved. Until there is such a plan, any claim that it should be done "because yes, that's why" is just a rant of very little use, imho.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Once more, I ask: how would you validate the physical books purchase? UPC code, or any other code currently present in the physical books, is not a valid answer, for the simple fact that there is not unique and different code associate with each and every single copy of the book. Anyone can check, I can post a picture of my own books.
So, again, how would anyone validate their purchase? If there was a way, that would be awesome, I'd be the first one to rejoice, even though I have already bought the Legendary Bundle here, I'd be happy for everyone currently finding the need to pay for the content (at a price that is FAR from full, as the promoter of the petition states deceivingly) outrageous. As things stand now, though, there is no way to validate any purchase made before DDB went live, or any purchase done since, for that matter, because there is no single, unique and different code associated with each copy of the books.
To quote a couple of comparisons I did in another post:
You buy a book. Years later, this nice little thing they call eBook reader comes out. You like the idea and would like to give it a go. Lo and behold, they do not give you free access to the same book you have in your library, bought from your local bookstore. Not only that, you would technically need to buy a specific device in order to use this new technology at 100%.
You buy a movie in DVD. Years later, a new way of watching movies comes about, the Blu-ray. Now again, you cannot have the Blu-ray of the movie you own on DVD for free.
(I'd be happy to be proven wrong, really)
Actually, when you buy the Blu-Ray movie you get a CODE so it becomes available on streaming services... Why couldn't WoTC put similar types of codes into the books that would unlock content on other toolsets? In my opinion, the content should only be paid for once... but, if I want to use the DDB toolset, I need to pony up the cash...or Roll20, give them my credit card number.
teak
You are talking about something that has been introduced after the format was made publicly available and widely used. Please, read again my examples, they are exactly what the situation is right now.
When most people bought their books, DDB was not even in the mind of WotC, therefore it was impossible for them to include any kind of code in their books for something they didn't even know was going to be a thing. Now, DDB is out, and there is no way to validate a purchase made before its creation. WotC also decided not to include such a code as the one you describe in their books published and distributed after DDB's creation. Is this Curse's choice and will? I doubt it very much, but in the end is irrelevant, as people are not asking that books sold FROM NOW ON have these codes, they are asking for their own copy which has no unique code to grant them access to digital content. I am sorry, but I don't see how that can happen.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I respectfully disagree with this petition because there is no system in place to track ownership. Now, if it was like a blu-ray disk that includes codes to unlock streaming services, maybe... Instead, why not make a petition to request that book ownership be verified (6e?)...then... tools like DDB can expose their content. Keep in mind though, if you change the business model, be prepared to at least pay for the DDb toolset. They invested a LOT of development time and should be compensated.
teak
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A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men... - Willy Wonka
Once more, I ask: how would you validate the physical books purchase? UPC code, or any other code currently present in the physical books, is not a valid answer, for the simple fact that there is not unique and different code associate with each and every single copy of the book. Anyone can check, I can post a picture of my own books.
So, again, how would anyone validate their purchase? If there was a way, that would be awesome, I'd be the first one to rejoice, even though I have already bought the Legendary Bundle here, I'd be happy for everyone currently finding the need to pay for the content (at a price that is FAR from full, as the promoter of the petition states deceivingly) outrageous. As things stand now, though, there is no way to validate any purchase made before DDB went live, or any purchase done since, for that matter, because there is no single, unique and different code associated with each copy of the books.
To quote a couple of comparisons I did in another post:
You buy a book. Years later, this nice little thing they call eBook reader comes out. You like the idea and would like to give it a go. Lo and behold, they do not give you free access to the same book you have in your library, bought from your local bookstore. Not only that, you would technically need to buy a specific device in order to use this new technology at 100%.
You buy a movie in DVD. Years later, a new way of watching movies comes about, the Blu-ray. Now again, you cannot have the Blu-ray of the movie you own on DVD for free.
(I'd be happy to be proven wrong, really)
Actually, when you buy the Blu-Ray movie you get a CODE so it becomes available on streaming services... Why couldn't WoTC put similar types of codes into the books that would unlock content on other toolsets? In my opinion, the content should only be paid for once... but, if I want to use the DDB toolset, I need to pony up the cash...or Roll20, give them my credit card number.
teak
You are talking about something that has been introduced after the format was made publicly available and widely used. Please, read again my examples, they are exactly what the situation is right now.
When most people bought their books, DDB was not even in the mind of WotC, therefore it was impossible for them to include any kind of code in their books for something they didn't even know was going to be a thing. Now, DDB is out, and there is no way to validate a purchase made before its creation. WotC also decided not to include such a code as the one you describe in their books published and distributed after DDB's creation. Is this Curse's choice and will? I doubt it very much, but in the end is irrelevant, as people are not asking that books sold FROM NOW ON have these codes, they are asking for their own copy which has no unique code to grant them access to digital content. I am sorry, but I don't see how that can happen.
I completely agree with you... Not practical now...but, in the ideal world, I believe purchasing content once and paying for tools like Roll20 and DDb is fair and reasonable and is something that WoTC should move towards.
I completely agree with you... Not practical now...but, in the ideal world, I believe purchasing content once and paying for tools like Roll20 and DDb is fair and reasonable and is something that WoTC should move towards.
teak
I agree that would be awesome, but I am afraid that the blu-ray and streaming service comparison is not a fitting one, as much as I see your point and I tend to agree with it.
The thing is that a streaming service that allows user to gain access to streaming version of their content upon purchase of a physical version is most probably owned, in some way shape or form, by the company publishing the physical version, and in any case, I suspect their big revenue is due to people starting using the service through the code in the physical version, and then purchasing from the streaming service website/portal directly, generating revenue for the streaming service directly. It's an investment for them, and one that can work due to the ginormous amount of content they have.
DDB, on the other hand, does not have a ginormous amount of content to offer, they have what WotC has published, that's it, and they are not owned, in part or otherwise, by WotC, so they do not benefit economically in any way from the sales physical copies. As you very correctly said in your previous post, if WotC decides to go the way of codes giving the possibility of redeeming content here, we have to be ready to see DDB become a paid service, with all the "uprising" and "outrage" that would bring.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I agree that would be awesome, but I am afraid that the blu-ray and streaming service comparison is not a fitting one, as much as I see your point and I tend to agree with it.
The thing is that a streaming service that allows user to gain access to streaming version of their content upon purchase of a physical version is most probably owned, in some way shape or form, by the company publishing the physical version, and in any case, I suspect their big revenue is due to people starting using the service through the code in the physical version, and then purchasing from the streaming service website/portal directly, generating revenue for the streaming service directly. It's an investment for them, and one that can work due to the ginormous amount of content they have.
DDB, on the other hand, does not have a ginormous amount of content to offer, they have what WotC has published, that's it, and they are not owned, in part or otherwise, by WotC, so they do not benefit economically in any way from the sales physical copies. As you very correctly said in your previous post, if WotC decides to go the way of codes giving the possibility of redeeming content here, we have to be ready to see DDB become a paid service, with all the "uprising" and "outrage" that would bring.
Not only that, the cost associated with creating a digital download of a movie is significantly different than the cost associated with creating digital assets of game rule systems. WoTC (or DDB) would need to become the centralized digital content format, then other services like Roll20 and FG could import it. While I'd love to see that, I doubt it's going to happen in any near future.
First off, there are numerous ways to prove that someone purchased the book, the most commonly used method is to send in the UPC code from the item in question. This isn't ideal in the case of books, as it would damage the cover, but it would prevent anyone from claiming more than one book. There is also the alternative of providing local sellers with access to codes for a period of time which would give the owner a discount on the site equal to the cost of the compendium copy; the local seller would then somehow mark the book in a uniform method which would prevent it from being able to be claimed additional times. Either way involves some kind of indelible mark being made upon the book.
Second, it doesn't matter if the person retains the book after they claimed it or not; no one else would be able to claim the digital copy of the book again. So since the only thing that they are getting by showing the book is a Compendium copy, why would they bother buying a physical copy of the book which will in all likelihood cost more than the compendium copy?
Third, using a receipt is asking for multiple claims of the same item, because all they will be sending is a copy; due to the likelihood that multiple items were purchased on the same receipt. Thus as I mentioned above, the UPC or a system involving bringing the books to your authorized FLGS and they would mark its use and give you a code to claim your $19.99 coupon.
I highlighted this post earlier. You would take a knife to the upc code and physically mail it in to an office.
Why are we still debating this? I think it's safe to say we concede that Wizards of the Coast could offer a discount code somehow, but they won't. Never going to happen, and many of us have enumerated the many reasons why.
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"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
First off, there are numerous ways to prove that someone purchased the book, the most commonly used method is to send in the UPC code from the item in question. This isn't ideal in the case of books, as it would damage the cover, but it would prevent anyone from claiming more than one book. There is also the alternative of providing local sellers with access to codes for a period of time which would give the owner a discount on the site equal to the cost of the compendium copy; the local seller would then somehow mark the book in a uniform method which would prevent it from being able to be claimed additional times. Either way involves some kind of indelible mark being made upon the book.
Second, it doesn't matter if the person retains the book after they claimed it or not; no one else would be able to claim the digital copy of the book again. So since the only thing that they are getting by showing the book is a Compendium copy, why would they bother buying a physical copy of the book which will in all likelihood cost more than the compendium copy?
Third, using a receipt is asking for multiple claims of the same item, because all they will be sending is a copy; due to the likelihood that multiple items were purchased on the same receipt. Thus as I mentioned above, the UPC or a system involving bringing the books to your authorized FLGS and they would mark its use and give you a code to claim your $19.99 coupon.
I highlighted this post earlier. You would take a knife to the upc code and physically mail it in to an office.
Since we seem to be going into edge cases territory (I would personally NEVER permanently and willingly damage a book I own just to save 20$ on its digital version), should such a system be implemented what would prevent anyone from going to any shop selling D&D books and scalp out the barcodes of copies on display to send over to WotC?
Honestly, how many such proof of purchase systems have you seen being used/offered on products of price higher than 5$?
If this was a viable proof of purchase practice, why would companies spend additional money (how little it might be) to include unique codes for such things instead of using this method?
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I love this on all sorts of levels, but mainly for the entertainment value. 33 signatures in 2 weeks with a the lofty aspiration of 100. That's really going to move WOTC to change their entire business model. No idea if the petition creator genuinely believes he'll achieve anything with this, but it's good for a laugh. I'm genuinely interested to see if they can crack 50 now that the petition has been posted here. I'm even tempted to post it in a Facebook group just to help it along. Not that any of it will make any difference, of course, even if they get 10 times that amount.
You may have seen multiple posts which have mentioned there is no current way to verify a person has purchased any given hard-copy book. That means it is also not currently possible to verify a person has not purchased any given hard-copy book.
So if you find some way to have the information contained within those books and manual enter it as non-public homebrew on D&D Beyond, they aren't going to assume anything about where or how you got that material - but they are also not going to waste any effort trying to find out how or where you got it.
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D&D Beyond FoundersPun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
Some people were starting a petition about this here's a link for it if you want
https://www.change.org/p/d-dbeyond-make-it-so-that-book-owners-pay-less?recruiter=854602843&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial.undefined&utm_term=share_email_responsive
"I want to pull out it's tongue so Timbity can use it as a whip."- W
Scarlet is a red haired wood elf. She is wearing a semi-formal red dress and her green cloak with silver lining. She has a beat up old scimitar at her side. She has dark green eyes and a feather in her hair. Her skin is well tanned.
Seriously?
Once more, I ask: how would you validate the physical books purchase?
UPC code, or any other code currently present in the physical books, is not a valid answer, for the simple fact that there is not unique and different code associate with each and every single copy of the book. Anyone can check, I can post a picture of my own books.
So, again, how would anyone validate their purchase?
If there was a way, that would be awesome, I'd be the first one to rejoice, even though I have already bought the Legendary Bundle here, I'd be happy for everyone currently finding the need to pay for the content (at a price that is FAR from full, as the promoter of the petition states deceivingly) outrageous.
As things stand now, though, there is no way to validate any purchase made before DDB went live, or any purchase done since, for that matter, because there is no single, unique and different code associated with each copy of the books.
To quote a couple of comparisons I did in another post:
(I'd be happy to be proven wrong, really)
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
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ModeratorAdded a section to the OP talking about how the homebrew system gives you the ability to not have to purchase anything a second time unless you want the full text and artwork, which the team at D&D Beyond is not legally capable of providing for free.
Homebrew Rules || Homebrew FAQ || Snippet Codes || Tooltips
DDB Guides & FAQs, Class Guides, Character Builds, Game Guides, Useful Websites, and WOTC Resources
I was adding this in for those who are interested. I personally agree with the petition but I also see Lek's point. Even though i'm somewhat biased I'm going to try and be open-minded about this topic.
"I want to pull out it's tongue so Timbity can use it as a whip."- W
Scarlet is a red haired wood elf. She is wearing a semi-formal red dress and her green cloak with silver lining. She has a beat up old scimitar at her side. She has dark green eyes and a feather in her hair. Her skin is well tanned.
A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men...
- Willy Wonka
I am just asking to be given a path, a plan on how this can be achieved. Until there is such a plan, any claim that it should be done "because yes, that's why" is just a rant of very little use, imho.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Please, read again my examples, they are exactly what the situation is right now.
Now, DDB is out, and there is no way to validate a purchase made before its creation. WotC also decided not to include such a code as the one you describe in their books published and distributed after DDB's creation. Is this Curse's choice and will? I doubt it very much, but in the end is irrelevant, as people are not asking that books sold FROM NOW ON have these codes, they are asking for their own copy which has no unique code to grant them access to digital content. I am sorry, but I don't see how that can happen.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men...
- Willy Wonka
A little bit of nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men...
- Willy Wonka
As you very correctly said in your previous post, if WotC decides to go the way of codes giving the possibility of redeeming content here, we have to be ready to see DDB become a paid service, with all the "uprising" and "outrage" that would bring.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Why are we still debating this? I think it's safe to say we concede that Wizards of the Coast could offer a discount code somehow, but they won't. Never going to happen, and many of us have enumerated the many reasons why.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games