From WotC.
Q: Now that 4th Edition is on sale, can I confirm that I was a playtester and/or had early access to the rules?
A: Yes.Q: Can I talk about my playtest experiences, or about the playtest versions of the rules?
A: No. That information is still considered confidential and may not be discussed, shared, or distributed in any way.Q: Now that 4th Edition is on sale, is my NDA void?
A: Absolutely not. Your Non-Disclosure Agreement with Wizards of the Coast still obligates you to "keep strictly confidential all Confidential information" in your possession.Q: But how is 4th Edition still considered confidential?
A: Once a product is published, the information presented in that product is no longer confidential. However, all prior versions of the rules (as well as playtest instructions and all other correspondence between you and Wizards of the Coast, Inc. regarding your playtest experiences) is still considered confidential.Q: Does my NDA only cover 4th Edition D&D?
A: Not necessarily. It covers all confidential information from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. disclosed to you in the course of that agreement. When in doubt as to whether information should be considered confidential, contact an attorney.Q: If I see someone else sharing information that I think is confidential, does that mean it's acceptable for me to share confidential information too?
A: No. Every circumstance is different, and by sharing information you were provided under your NDA, you may open yourself up to legal liability.Q: Is it acceptable to post or download an electronic version of the 4th Edition rulebook? After all, the information’s public now, right?
A: No, but not because of your NDA. Illegally posting or downloading this information is a violation of copyright and intellectual property rights, not a confidentiality issue.
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Yes, a bit of a change from this.
"And yes, that means it’s safe to confirm that you were a 4th Edition playtester; but remember that Non-Disclosure Agreement: No talking details until June 6th!"
A rather stark reversal in less than a month.
Oh well, no details for you!
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It's important to note that "no talking details" meant they couldn't discuss any game content until June 6th, and this new announcement reminds them that they can't discuss what didn't make it into the game. There is a big difference, and it's not a reversal at all.
No, the FAQ specifically says playtesters cannot even discuss their playtest experiences, not just what was in the material they had.
That part is a switch from the implication in the playtester announcement that suggested playtesters could discuss details of the sessions.
From other playtest experiences I've had, even after the product has been released, discussion of what went on in the playtest was still usually considered priviledged info that couldn't be discussed. This seems to be the same policy, which I suppose is some kind of standard? Every NDA'd playtest I've ever participated has worked like this, at least.
Sorry...I've had a really bad day. I really shouldn't get on message boards right after my kid poops all over the floor.
I think that statement is equally valid if you remove the "my kid" part entirely. Try it and see!
Anytime poop is on the floor = bad times indeed!
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That suggestion isn't in the earlier announcement; WotC can't control people who inferred otherwise. Hardly a switch. If I posted something which you misinterpreted and took issue with, would I be changing my position if I stood with my original intent but with better phrasing? Of course not.
You may not see the change, I do.
I think the phrasing is quite adequate in both to express their intentions and requirements.
That suggestion isn't in the earlier announcement; WotC can't control people who inferred otherwise. Hardly a switch. If I posted something which you misinterpreted and took issue with, would I be changing my position if I stood with my original intent but with better phrasing? Of course not.You may not see the change, I do.
I think the phrasing is quite adequate in both to express their intentions and requirements.
Let's get Sebastian involved in this discussion! In my experience, that always makes this kind of thing go really, really well, for a long time!
:) :)