Greetings,
I am the Creator of TOS+ (The Only Sheet+), one of the most powerful automated/dynamic Character Sheet for D&D3.5. I was wondering if I should start to work to make my product 'PathFinder' compatible, to give the PathFinder community access to the same powerful product the D&D3.5 community has enjoyed with TOS+.
So my question is: Are the PathFinder rules part of the OGL?
Can they be used in a commercial product, such as mine?
Thanks,
Richard Taillon
http://TheOnlySheet.com
Greetings,
I am the Creator of TOS+ (The Only Sheet+), one of the most powerful automated/dynamic Character Sheet for D&D3.5. I was wondering if I should start to work to make my product 'PathFinder' compatible, to give the PathFinder community access to the same powerful product the D&D3.5 community has enjoyed with TOS+.
So my question is: Are the PathFinder rules part of the OGL?
Can they be used in a commercial product, such as mine?Thanks,
Richard Taillon
http://TheOnlySheet.com
Just from an educated fan, as to your first question I'm sure its OGL.
As to your seconed question I don't know, though such a product would be great I'm not sure if you would be able to use the Pathfinder name or if they will have a OGL logal for the ruleset. Even more problematic would be the question of if you wanted to do this type of product under GSL. At this point legal ruels are so confused that I think the industry is holding it's collective breath.
Chief Technical Officer
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Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters, deities, artifacts, places, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, language, concepts, incidents, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress.
Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity (see above), the contents of this Paizo Publishing game product are Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content might be reproduced in any form without written permission. To learn more about the Open Game License and the d20 System License, please visit wizards.com/d20.
The Pathfinder RPG, Alpha release 2 is published by Paizo Publishing, LLC under the Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All other trademarks are property of Paizo Publishing, LLC. ©2008 Paizo Publishing.
While you're thus able to use anything not defined as product identity, you'll want to keep in mind that these rules are very much in flux, and things will change. So you'll probably want to flag Pathfinder RPG content with a note saying what version of the document you're talking about. (We're on Alpha 2, but Alpha 3 is due next week.)
(We won't be using the rules in any of our own products until the finished product is ready next year.)
(And Andre is correct that the name "Pathfinder" is not open content—it's a trademark of Paizo Publishing.)
Easy - check the open content designation (it's on the table of contents page). :)
Yes, it's open content with only some limited product identity declarations. But all mechanics are open.
But also all of the mechanics are tentative since it's still in playtesting.
Edit: Whops, too slow. Already answered.
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Vic, aren't you guys working on a way to put a logo on product that is compatible with PRPG though? :)We are planning such a thing, but it will require compatibility with the finished RPG, so nobody will be able to use it until summer 2009.
Well, something for the original poster to think about then. :)
I think this kind of outside interest is a good sign of things to come.
While you're thus able to use anything not defined as product identity, you'll want to keep in mind that these rules are very much in flux, and things will change. So you'll probably want to flag Pathfinder RPG content with a note saying what version of the document you're talking about. (We're on Alpha 2, but Alpha 3 is due next week.)
(We won't be using the rules in any of our own products until the finished product is ready next year.)
Indeed, thank you for the warning - I am concentrating on a few design changes that would be needed anyways to support other systems.
(And Andre is correct that the name "Pathfinder" is not open content—it's a trademark of Paizo Publishing.)
Hmm So what you are saying is that while I could add the 'open content' of the PathFinder RPG, I could not state that my product is "Pathfinder compatible" ... One has to wonder how to tell people about it (My product is actually very useful to facilitate character creation and maintenance - It is not meant to replace the basic rules which are still needed to play the game. Many users reported that they would not be playing D&D3.5 if it wasn't for TOS+ managing their characters for them!)
Well, something for the original poster to think about then. :)Vic, aren't you guys working on a way to put a logo on product that is compatible with PRPG though? :)We are planning such a thing, but it will require compatibility with the finished RPG, so nobody will be able to use it until summer 2009.
Indeed - Some People on my Forum are already willing to test out the current iteration of the PRPG in a Play-by-Post game. Hence why I am interested in allowing them the use of my Sheet, beefed up to handle PRPG as well...
Thanks for the help!!
Richard
http://TheOnlySheet.com
Come 2009 when PRPG is out...If 3rd part publishers want to make stuff that uses pathfinder rules..
How will the consumer know if an OGL product uses 3.5 or PRPG rules if the name Pathfinder cant be used?
EDIT: I should read the posts above compleatly before posting. Sorry. :)
Vic, aren't you guys working on a way to put a logo on product that is compatible with PRPG though? :)We are planning such a thing, but it will require compatibility with the finished RPG, so nobody will be able to use it until summer 2009.
Sorry for the noob question, but does that mean that third-party publishers will be able to contribute their own products to Pathfinder if properly licensed?
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Come 2009 when PRBG is out...If 3rd part publishers want to make stuff that uses pathfinder rules.. How will the consumer know if an OGL product uses 3.5 or PRPG rules if the name Pathfinder cant be used?
As was said above, they're working on a logo 3rd parties can use to put on their product to show compatibility.
The way I read the OGL, product line names are always product identity even if undeclared. Presumably, that provision's in there to protect against slip-ups by proofreaders and printers. So there's no way it can be OGC regardless of whether or not Paizo specifically identifies it as Product Identity.
Sorry for the noob question, but does that mean that third-party publishers will be able to contribute their own products to Pathfinder if properly licensed?
Not the setting. In the same way that Green Ronin couldn't add to Greyhawk or Necromancer add to Forgotten Realms, Joe Schmoe's RPGs won't be able to add to Pathfinder. But Joe Schmoe's RPGs should be able to make their own setting based on the Pathfinder RPG rules, in the same way that Paizo, Green Ronin, and Necromancer made their own settings using the 3.5 rules.
And don't feel bad for asking "noob questions" all of us were noobs at one point. We all have to start somewhere.
EDIT: I should point out that while I do NOT have any idea what will be in the final license, it stands to reason (given their origins and how good they are to work with) that Paizo will allow for the creation of alternate settings with the compatability logo license. Translation: I am fully confident in them.
Hmm So what you are saying is that while I could add the 'open content' of the PathFinder RPG, I could not state that my product is "Pathfinder compatible" ... One has to wonder how to tell people about it
Mongoose and Green Ronin have released OGL games and have compatability licenses for each. Between those licenses and the d20 license, there are certain similarities. And while it is not a given that these similarities will be in Paizo's license, its not an unreasonable guess:
1) The logo is allowed to be on the books (as long as certain conditions are met).
2) The logo is allowed to be used in advertising (as long as certain other conditions are met).
3) Certain terms are not allowed to be used: "True", "Traveller", "RuneQuest", etc. Its not an unreasonable guess that it will be spelled out in the license that "Pathfinder" and certain variations will not be allowed to be used.
Lastly, there can be a certain set of terms that you can use that will "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" mean they are compatable but not use the logo license. "For use with the World's Most Popular Fantasy Role Playing Game" was the verbage for D&D. Who knows what it will be for Pathfinder. I should also state that using the Logo is better.
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You know what would be cool? The logo for Pathfinder compatible 3rd party material should be the Pathfinder logo up there in the corner with the words "Following The" over them.
The Pathfinder P would be a simple logo. Just stick it in a little box and it's good to go. The P with a 20 next to it (P20) would also work.
Lastly, there can be a certain set of terms that you can use that will "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" mean they are compatable but not use the logo license. "For use with the World's Most Popular Fantasy Role Playing Game" was the verbage for D&D. Who knows what it will be for Pathfinder. I should also state that using the Logo is better.
A Logo is not always usable in a Text format/message... Perhaps my question should have been "How can I identify that my product can support the Pathfinder system in a textual manner."
Richard
http://TheOnlySheet.com
After taking the pulse of the community using my Character Sheet, I am happy to announce that TOS+, one of the most powerful workbook to create and maintain characters for D&D3.5 (Monte Cook has a copy himself), will also support the PATHFINDER rule set!
Work on integrating the Pathfinder system will start immediately and be based on the latest version currently available (Alpha 3). TOS+ will be updated to the non-alpha version once they become available.
Subscribers to TOS+ will be able to freely download this new version of the Sheet directly from the Community Forum.
Hopefully, this will bring even more people to the Pathfinder system, now that TOS+ will support it!
Richard Taillon
Creator of The Only Sheet+
http://TheOnlySheet.com
Glad to hear!
Neat about the One Sheet
My question, slightly off topic but this is the closest is, will there be a SRD for Pathfinder RPG?
For my Fantasy d20 interests Pathfinder will be my ruleset of choice from here on and I am curious, as I make a little fan content and occassionally do newsletter like things, is there plans for a SRD like document I can use to change my homebrew setting over fm 3.0 to Pathfinder
Thanks either way in advance. Odds are I will just dump all d20 period the more I read how it is all going.
Neat about the One Sheet
My question, slightly off topic but this is the closest is, will there be a SRD for Pathfinder RPG?
For my Fantasy d20 interests Pathfinder will be my ruleset of choice from here on and I am curious, as I make a little fan content and occassionally do newsletter like things, is there plans for a SRD like document I can use to change my homebrew setting over fm 3.0 to Pathfinder
I have no doubt that someone will strip the Open Content out from the Pathfinder Beta rules, if that's what you mean. I don't know if Paizo will do it themselves, though.
Vic, aren't you guys working on a way to put a logo on product that is compatible with PRPG though? :)We are planning such a thing, but it will require compatibility with the finished RPG, so nobody will be able to use it until summer 2009.
Hey do me a favor and make the logo "small". It is hard enough puttling my company LPJ Design logo, OGL logo, and the Werecabbage logo. That is four logos on the covers of my future Pathfinder compatitable products coming out in the summer of 2009. Come on a have a heart.
Hmm. Never noticed the WereCabbages had a logo before... I'm a little bit scared by that!
Hmm. Never noticed the WereCabbages had a logo before... I'm a little bit scared by that!
Mwah-hah-hah. >:)