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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 4, 2009 5:30:53 GMT -6
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Chainmail, LBB (1E), & AD&D (2E) are TSR Products.
D&D (3E), (3.5E), & (4E) are WotC Products.
And I guess that d20 & SDR are also WotC.
All I have in Hard-Copy is labeled TSR
This comes from my D/Ling (Leaching) from the D&D Archive Files - where some products are Labeled TSR and others WotC.
Any help or explanation would be welcome - I'm thinking of "Retro-Revisioning" some of the 3E, 35E, & 4E back to 1E & 2E and posting them for Free or at a small fee to cover the lifting of the Manuals to verify Stats & other Info.
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Post by James Maliszewski on Oct 4, 2009 6:46:46 GMT -6
Legally, most TSR-published materials are now the property of Wizards of the Coast. They own TSR's old catalog and, if there were ever to be reprint of, say, OD&D or something, it'd carry a copyright statement indicating this.
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wheggi
Level 1 Medium
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Post by wheggi on Oct 4, 2009 8:47:30 GMT -6
Were there any products produced by TSR that are not now property of WotC? Something that Gygax may have got the rights to, or maybe one of the tie-ins to other lines (such as the Conan stuff)?
- Wheggi
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Post by giantbat on Oct 4, 2009 9:56:55 GMT -6
Were there any products produced by TSR that are not now property of WotC? Something that Gygax may have got the rights to, or maybe one of the tie-ins to other lines (such as the Conan stuff)? - Wheggi |
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 4, 2009 10:44:43 GMT -6
Legally, most TSR-published materials are now the property of Wizards of the Coast. They own TSR's old catalog and, if there were ever to be reprint of, say, OD&D or something, it'd carry a copyright statement indicating this. But you must remember that the WotC created the OGL & SDR and invites people to submit "OA" material. I think there can be a "work around" on OD&D & AD&D Submissions (Remember I'm talking Retro-Fit of new Material) |
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Post by Malcadon on Oct 4, 2009 11:13:25 GMT -6
Were there any products produced by TSR that are not now property of WotC? Something that Gygax may have got the rights to, or maybe one of the tie-ins to other lines (such as the Conan stuff)? is still owned by Jim Ward. Empire of the Petal Throne (Tékumel) is still owned by M.A.R. Barker. Divine Right is still owned by Glenn Rahman. Fight In The Skies (Dawn Patrol) is still owned by Mike Carr. Snit's Revenge and Awful Green Things From Outer Space are still owned by Tom Wham. Conan is still owned by Conan Properties LLC. Marvel Superheros is still owned by Marvel Publishing (soon to be acquired by The Walt Disney Company). Lankhmar is still owned by the Estate of Fritz Leiber. Indiana Jones is still owned by George Lucas. XXVc (Buck Rogers) is still owned by Flint Dille and Lorraine Dille Williams. Save for the Buck Rogers and Lankhmar games, all other games were produced under different rules, and published independently from WotC. |
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 4, 2009 12:43:59 GMT -6
Thanks Malcadon
But again the Question is can I or Others retrofit new Adventures into 1E (LBB) & 2E (AD&D) within the law.
I'm looking to the point that many players have read the old Modules and know the end-game, by re-writing some of the NEW stuff to OD&D formats the PCs will 'Now Have To Think Again' <Big Grin>.
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 4, 2009 13:01:56 GMT -6
You cannot retrofit new adventures if you use any WotC-owned trademarks, such as "Dungeons & Dragons."
If it says "Dungeons & Dragons" on it anywhwere, it's illegal.
If it uses any material that is not your original work or that has not been specifically declared Open Content, it's illegal.
Essentially, you can use the SRD and any specifically declared open content from other OGL products. Mind Flayers and Beholders, for example, are NOT open content and you can't use them ANYWHERE in your commercial product. Drow, on the other hand, are open content and you can use them so long as you abide by the terms of the Open Game License.
If you don't know how the legalities of these licenses work, I would not recommend charging for your work. Throwing it out there for free might be doable, so long as you:
1. don't reproduce ANY RULES OR TEXT FROM A NON-OGC SOURCE
2. include a very specific notice that it's a fan work believed to reside within Fair Use and not intended to infringe upon WotC's copyrights. But you may still get a cease & desist letter from WotC's attorneys.
Here's the long and short of it.
If you have written your own original module you wish to retrofit to old editions, do it for OSRIC, Labyrinth Lord, or Swords & Wizardry. That'll be your legal end-around.
You can absolutely NOT, however, "retrofit" a pre-existing Wizards of the Coast module or sourcebook for an older edition. That's a violation of copyright law.
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Post by Random on Oct 4, 2009 13:24:44 GMT -6
In summary, you cannot legally convert any (non-OGC) WotC-copyrighted materials to an older D&D version except for potential use in your home campaign (which would be fair use).
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 4, 2009 16:38:14 GMT -6
To Both 'thegreyelf' & 'Random'.
Thanks....
I will be "Very, Very Careful" of my use of old material. Not being a "Ambulance Chaser" or a "Honorable Member of Congress" my knowledge of the Copyright Laws is Limited.
Again to ALL the Members of this board, who will and do put up with this old 'cog in the clock', Thank You.
George
US Army. Retired
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Post by rick krebs on Oct 4, 2009 17:02:26 GMT -6
Gangbusters is owned by Rick Krebs
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Post by irdaranger on Oct 4, 2009 19:53:00 GMT -6
Not being a "Ambulance Chaser" or a "Honorable Member of Congress" my knowledge of the Copyright Laws is Limited. Being an "Ambulance Chaser" myself, I must say your opinion of our Honorable Members of Congress is much too high. |
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Post by chgowiz on Oct 5, 2009 11:24:55 GMT -6
Gangbusters is owned by Rick Krebs The Chicagoan in me wanted to don a fedora, put on a Capone-esque swagger/accent and say something along the lines of "Who you t'ink you are, ownin' me? You t'ink you own me? Buddy, I own YOU! I own this whole TOWN! Whad'dya t'inkin'?" But it came out really badly in my head, so we'll just let that whole idea slide and just be happy you still own it. |
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benoist
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
OD&D, AD&D, AS&SH
Posts: 346
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Post by benoist on Oct 5, 2009 11:36:56 GMT -6
Legally, most TSR-published materials are now the property of Wizards of the Coast. They own TSR's old catalog and, if there were ever to be reprint of, say, OD&D or something, it'd carry a copyright statement indicating this. This. In effect, legally, WotC owns TSR's properties. WotC *is* TSR for the purpose of these specific properties. The distinction is mostly moot, when talking about Intellectual Properties, since WotC bought TSR and its catalog of IP and trademarks. |
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Post by rick krebs on Oct 5, 2009 13:14:25 GMT -6
Gangbusters is owned by Rick Krebs The Chicagoan in me wanted to don a fedora, put on a Capone-esque swagger/accent and say something along the lines of "Who you t'ink you are, ownin' me? You t'ink you own me? Buddy, I own YOU! I own this whole TOWN! Whad'dya t'inkin'?" But it came out really badly in my head, so we'll just let that whole idea slide and just be happy you still own it. "All we know are the facts ...." Sgt. Joe Friday, whoops that's LA... oh well, never mind. |
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 5, 2009 13:51:18 GMT -6
To Both 'thegreyelf' & 'Random'. Thanks.... I will be "Very, Very Careful" of my use of old material. Not being a "Ambulance Chaser" or a "Honorable Member of Congress" my knowledge of the Copyright Laws is Limited. Again to ALL the Members of this board, who will and do put up with this old 'cog in the clock', Thank You. George US Army. Retired No worries. We'd just hate to see you get into hot water over something that's really not worth it. But so you know, OSRIC IS pretty much AD&D first edition, Labyrinth Lord IS pretty much Moldvay/Cook B/X D&D, and Swords & Wizards is a d**n good attempt at BEING OD&D. So if you want to publish for those games, publish for OSRIC, LL, or S&W instead. That's your best route. Most people will also know what you mean if you publish for "First Edition Fantasy," "Original Edition Fantasy," or "Original Basic/Expert Fantasy." |
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 5, 2009 14:21:35 GMT -6
Not being a "Ambulance Chaser" or a "Honorable Member of Congress" my knowledge of the Copyright Laws is Limited. Being an "Ambulance Chaser" myself, I must say your opinion of our Honorable Members of Congress is much too high. After too many visits by the FBI, I phrase my words very, very carefully when it comes to the 540 Elected Members<grin>. |
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 5, 2009 14:26:40 GMT -6
To Both 'thegreyelf' & 'Random'. Thanks.... I will be "Very, Very Careful" of my use of old material. Not being a "Ambulance Chaser" or a "Honorable Member of Congress" my knowledge of the Copyright Laws is Limited. Again to ALL the Members of this board, who will and do put up with this old 'cog in the clock', Thank You. George US Army. Retired No worries. We'd just hate to see you get into hot water over something that's really not worth it. But so you know, OSRIC IS pretty much AD&D first edition, Labyrinth Lord IS pretty much Moldvay/Cook B/X D&D, and Swords & Wizards is a d**n good attempt at BEING OD&D. So if you want to publish for those games, publish for OSRIC, LL, or S&W instead. That's your best route. Most people will also know what you mean if you publish for "First Edition Fantasy," "Original Edition Fantasy," or "Original Basic/Expert Fantasy." Thank's... I have been downloading a number of old AD&D (2E) Modules and am thinking of posting them where us old folks can access them easier (WotC Board is a Mind MAze). |
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 5, 2009 18:41:18 GMT -6
No worries. We'd just hate to see you get into hot water over something that's really not worth it. But so you know, OSRIC IS pretty much AD&D first edition, Labyrinth Lord IS pretty much Moldvay/Cook B/X D&D, and Swords & Wizards is a d**n good attempt at BEING OD&D. So if you want to publish for those games, publish for OSRIC, LL, or S&W instead. That's your best route. Most people will also know what you mean if you publish for "First Edition Fantasy," "Original Edition Fantasy," or "Original Basic/Expert Fantasy." Thank's... I have been downloading a number of old AD&D (2E) Modules and am thinking of posting them where us old folks can access them easier (WotC Board is a Mind MAze). That's something that could get you in trouble. You can't re-publish someone else's work. |
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Post by Random on Oct 5, 2009 19:33:44 GMT -6
Thank's... I have been downloading a number of old AD&D (2E) Modules and am thinking of posting them where us old folks can access them easier (WotC Board is a Mind MAze). That's something that could get you in trouble. You can't re-publish someone else's work. Indeed, you can't even host the old edition downloads that WotC hosts on their own site. They alone have the right to distribute that stuff. |
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Post by gkaralunas on Oct 6, 2009 4:47:07 GMT -6
That's something that could get you in trouble. You can't re-publish someone else's work. Indeed, you can't even host the old edition downloads that WotC hosts on their own site. They alone have the right to distribute that stuff. I stand corrected. Well I guess if I can find a crew here in the Fort Hood area I have plenty of material for adventures that these youngest have never seen<grin>. |
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Post by chgowiz on Oct 6, 2009 9:29:36 GMT -6
Thank's... I have been downloading a number of old AD&D (2E) Modules and am thinking of posting them where us old folks can access them easier (WotC Board is a Mind MAze). That's something that could get you in trouble. You can't re-publish someone else's work. However, making an easy index of those modules so that the mind-maze is avoided IS legal... and would be a great benefit! |
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Post by calithena on Oct 21, 2009 21:34:45 GMT -6
In terms of who produced what, there are a couple of very, very late 2e products that WotC produced. Other than those, everything before 3e is TSR and everything after 2e is WotC.
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Post by thegreyelf on Oct 22, 2009 6:06:22 GMT -6
But WotC owns all of it.
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Post by Malcadon on Oct 30, 2009 20:13:18 GMT -6
That's something that could get you in trouble. You can't re-publish someone else's work. Indeed, you can't even host the old edition downloads that WotC hosts on their own site. They alone have the right to distribute that stuff. Unless you're a pirate! And pirates are awesome! (unless you are a 'ninja-lover') SUPPORT PIRACY!!! |
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