SRD material in OGL products.

[Charles Gray]

OK, here's a question-- if I wish to release my big OGL mecha battle game.

Fine-- now, here's the big question-- should I include the Anime D20 SRD in it? On the one hand, it makes sense-- I can't refer to the GOO material by name, so other than continually putting down "refer to the XXXX (euphanism for the srd)" or put in links to a page that may or may not still be correct, just puttin the material in it makes sense.
But teh second question rises, especially in terms of print material-- will the players feel rooked? Will they say: Hey, I paid XXX for a product, parts of which are free on the internet, what gives?

It wouldn't be a probelm with something that was solely based on the WOTC SRD-- if you say SRD that's what people think about-- but it is a questoin with less well known SRDs.
opinions?

[HellHound101]

I would definitely include the rules in question, or at least a simplified version thereof.

I would, however, specifically state somewhere that it uses and includes the Mecha SRD as part of the rules or the Anime SRD.

Although you cannot advertise compatability without permission, and neither can you use an author's name without permission, these particular SRDs have been released under the OGC... I would give each a read-over to see if they include the name of the SRD in their protected terms (PI), if not, then I *believe* you are in the clear to state what SRDs are included in the package in the product blurb.

After all, you can publish the Anime SRD and call it just that, thus I see no problem publishing it and adding to it.

However, although I am a d20 publisher, I am NOT a lawyer.

[The Grey Elf]

I would definitely include the rules in question, or at least a simplified version thereof.

Agreed. Reprinted stuff is better than not having what you need at your fingertips.

I would, however, specifically state somewhere that it uses and includes the Mecha SRD as part of the rules or the Anime SRD.

This is required as part of the OGL anyway. You MUST update your copyright section with GoO's info if you use their SRD.

Although you cannot advertise compatability without permission, and neither can you use an author's name without permission, these particular SRDs have been released under the OGC...

Not entirely true. The Open Game License REQUIRES you to list the copyright information of all transplanted open game content within the body of the license. In this case, you'd have to list "Mecha SRD, Guardians of Order, Inc., [+authors, if any listed], 2003." And while that's not advertising compatibility with GoO's products, it is a nod to their copyright and lets your readers know where you got the material, and where they should go for more.

I would give each a read-over to see if they include the name of the SRD in their protected terms (PI), if not, then I *believe* you are in the clear to state what SRDs are included in the package in the product blurb.

Best way to handle this is to include your Designation of Open Game Content, and include the OGL and copyright notice, right at the beginning of the book rather than the end as some publishers do.