Modules using Pathfinder rules?

[darth_borehd]

Is it OK for me to make modules that use the Pathfinder ruleset?

[Iziak]

darth_borehd wrote:

Is it OK for me to make modules that use the Pathfinder ruleset?

I can't provide officially legal advice, but here's what I think that the answer is.

I think that it's OK to make modules that are for personal use only using the Pathfinder Beta rules without additional permission... that's what any GM does for any RPG.

To publish the module, you'd need to use the Open Game License. I believe that most of the rules elements in the Beta are Open Game Content, although I don't have the book in front of me right now. However, you could not indicate that your module was compatible with the Beta without written permission from Paizo.

[DarkWhite]

Questions similar to this one have been asked previously, and I think the answer went something like ... Paizo encourages players to playtest the Beta rules, but would prefer you didn't publish or distribute adventures etc using the Beta rules, as they are not the finished product. They would prefer you to wait until the Pathfinder RPG hardcover is released, and use that version to base any third-party publications.

Of course, if this adventure is for a home game, then go for it! That's what the playtest is for :-)

[Jagyr Ebonwood]

Here's what I seem to remember: pretty much everything in the Beta is OGC, but the Pathfinder and Pathfinder RPG logos are not. However, it was pointed out (by James, I think) that they haven't copyrighted the PRPG acronym, if you wanted to say "PRPG compatible" or somesuch.

However, to be on the safe side, I'd wait for official word.

[Xaaon of Xen'Drik]

Hopefully once Pathfinder is published, the license to use the Pathfinder Logo, as a reference will be free to use and keep the 3rd party industry alive and well.

[James Jacobs]

Once August 2009 rolls around and the PF RPG is done, we'll absolutely have a logo and stuff for folk to use to create games and adventures and whatever for the system. It'll be something like the 3rd Edition d20 License, I suspect, but less restrictive. Until then, we don't want folk doing this, since the Beta is still very much in flux. If someone creates a game that uses today's beta, by the time that book sees print the rules will have changed and confusion will set in.

So the answer to the original poster is yes... but please wait until the rules are solidified.

[KaeYoss]

If you want to cobble together something for your home game, it's no problem.

I also think that if you put it on the web for free and label it as "PFRPG Beta Playtest Adventure To Help in Testing" or something, they won't complain, either.

But I wouldn't officially publish this. Beyond annoying Paizo, you'd do something really weird, as you'd publish for a system that might change the day after without warning (in other words: Like publishing under the GSL, but without the danger of losing the right to publish your stuff ;-)).

[Krome]

Xaaon of Xen'Drik wrote:

Hopefully once Pathfinder is published, the license to use the Pathfinder Logo, as a reference will be free to use and keep the 3rd party industry alive and well.

As I understand it that is indeed the goal. They have said they are working on a license to use the Pathfinder name and such for products.

[Vic Wertz]

We're working on a Community Use policy as well as an open Pathfinder RPG compatibility license. They're in the final stages before going to the lawyers—please wait for them before you plan to do things with our trademarks.

[also, moved thread to Pathfinder RPG forum]