rpiazza72's page

Vic Wertz wrote:

Enlight_Bystand wrote:

For strict legal requirements, look at the bottom of the contents page in your module/whatever. This splits down what's OGL and what's Paizo's Intellectual property. These can be used in line with this:

Community Use Policy

What he said.

Also, please note that while the Community Use Policy specifically allows you to "descriptively reference dialogue, plots, storylines, language, and incidents from products listed in Section 1 of our Community Use Approved Product List at paizo.com/communityuse/products in campaign journals and play-by-post or play-by-email games," it also forbids you from using "artwork, including maps, that have not been published in the blog, although you may create your own interpretations of material presented in our artwork and maps, provided that your interpretations don't look substantially similar to our materials."

This is the one that throws me. If I do a map in which every pixel is original, the colour choice is to my own taste, etc., but the buildings on my map are in the same places that they would be on Paizo's map would that be substantially similar? If every 5' square on my map contains the same features would that look substantially similar? I ask because I sincerely want to respect Paizo's intellectual property while running PbPs on this site.

Yeah this is the area where interpretation becomes a matter of question substantially functions much as reasonable does in legal lingo. Its open to interpretation because it is not clearly defined. I think the issue would be that artistic flair. Paizo's art is distinct so that is what they are most likely trying to protect. My guess is this is to address where someone might scan the image and alter it very slightly to try and get away with one. I don't believe they are trying to prevent the game content of the map or else I would think they would say you couldn't post interpretations of it period. So your interpretation of the map should differ enough at least that's my take

Well I wrote a nice reply, but these crappy forums ate it. So I will say this. Your reasoning is ridiculous. My house can be broken into just as easily and anything can be hacked. To say you are protecting things to the best of your ability should suffice. I am not posting the module, I just want the maps, I can even forgo the argue about the other images. I can describe everything else. I can't describe a grid and for me to have to recreate a grid map is ludicrous. I no longer tabletop game, all of my gaming is online.

Sorry if my reply is a bit raw, the other one was eaten and in a much nicer tone. That's what I get for previewing it and trying to make it sound diplomatic.

No offense taken I think the best bet is make your forum as secure as possible. Many people assume a forum is safe and don't take the care to really make sure all the doors are locked. I would disagree a home is as easy to break into. Working on a university campus I see people run simple programs that require less effort then picking up a rock to smash your window. So unless you leave your doors unlocked your home is somewhat more secure. It requires a rare set of skills to enter a home unnoticed it requires significantly less skills to do the same to an electronic forum and as noted earlier search engines basically provide a map to where items can be found. There's no inventory available to whats in your home to make it a target that alone increases your homes safety vs your forum, unless you leave your valuables on a window sill. I think Paizo asks us to do our best and making your forum as secure as possible goes a long way towards doing your best.

Vic Wertz wrote:

Enlight_Bystand wrote:

For strict legal requirements, look at the bottom of the contents page in your module/whatever. This splits down what's OGL and what's Paizo's Intellectual property. These can be used in line with this:

Community Use Policy

What he said.

Also, please note that while the Community Use Policy specifically allows you to "descriptively reference dialogue, plots, storylines, language, and incidents from products listed in Section 1 of our Community Use Approved Product List at paizo.com/communityuse/products in campaign journals and play-by-post or play-by-email games," it also forbids you from using "artwork, including maps, that have not been published in the blog, although you may create your own interpretations of material presented in our artwork and maps, provided that your interpretations don't look substantially similar to our materials."

I know the community use policy I was trying to get some clarification. It doesn't seem cut and dry to me and I am sure I am not the only one.

So I can't use maps in a private forum? One only the players can see? Isn't that the point of the maps. Not everyone has the lifestyle to be able to play tabletop and not everyone is in areas where it is even possible. I don't see how it is different to play a private game online than a tabletop game. With all of the effects put on top of the maps, its not like anyone can use them for other purposes.

Also as was mentioned, there is no need to post NPC stats or anything, but I do like to use images/portraits. But that isn't allowed either? I just don't understand, if no one else can see them. Why?

I think the issue with posting to a forum private or public is that forums can't be controlled the same way you can the table in your living room. To some extent when something that is Paizo's property is posted in a private forum it's still subject to being hacked.

Showing maps on my table or images is generally from the one copy I have and any copies made I can responsibly collect back. Hacking a forum for stuff posted there be it private or public is not that hard. And once its out everyone has it and there is no control on how far or how often it can be copied or distributed. Some how I doubt the hacking scene for maps and character images is that robust but it could happen.

I think Paizo is generous in saying you can interpret their items for your posting purposes but don't post the actual images. They are trying to protect their intellectual property and I can't blame them for that. They seem to bend as much as they can in this area for us their customers.

I think the bottom line is stuff posted in cyberspace is never truly private not like your dining room table, so Paizo takes the steps they need to to protect themselves.