The only flaw in your analysis is that you don't have to sign up for either the GSL or FSL. Yes, the way they've set it up, if you agree to play by WotC's rules, you can never post new content or modifications on a web page.Lich-Loved wrote:I don't think this is exactly correct. Specifically you see...mean_liar wrote:Based on what's been posted, you can still distribute 4e mods, but you can't do it as a defined Fan Site using WotC copyrighted materials.
Basically it only says you can't slap the 4e logo or artwork on whatever you're doing if it mods the rules.
If you browse to the GSL FAQ, you can glean these tidbits:WotC Fan Site Kit wrote:does not allow you to publish, distribute or sell your own free-to-use games, modules or applications for any of Wizards' brands including, but not limited to, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. If you want to engage in any of these activities related to Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition, such use is subject to the Game System License
<full quotation snipped>
tl;dr:
(0) Nothing in 4th Edition is Open Gaming Content
(1) Your website cannot publish modules using the Fan Site Kit; you must use the GSL.
(2) The GSL does not cover websites (uh just their content I guess?)
(3) You do not have to use Defined Terms in your product (module for example), but you may find it hard not to do so. You cannot use the definition of "Cleric" to be anything other than the Cleric published under the GSL. You cannot reuse any term found in the rules anywhere with a house rule attached, like the redefinition of the Eldarin fluff. If you start a sentence on your site with "In this campaign..." and you are mentioning a WotC term, you are in violation of the GSL.
(4) You may not create "interactive products" under the GSL. WotC claims dice rollers are a violation of the GSL.
(5) While staying in the above rules, have fun and spread the word on our products!
This is seriously screwed up. I really have no idea what to make of it, but I don't see how you are allowed to write modules or do anything else under the Fan Site Kit except having "user communities for our games [to] enjoy sharing information, experiences, and opinions about our products" or, in other words, the Fan Site Kit allows you to "advertise for us" if you want the shorthand version.
However, if you forgo WotC's licenses and the ability to use their logo, the situation's not as cut-and-dried. In that case, it becomes a question of whether your content is "fair use" or if it even infringes on the copyright. Apparently, you can't copyright game mechanics, only the specific words and graphics used to present them. Thus, there's enough wiggle room that Kenzer actually published a 4e adaptation of their Kingdoms of Kalamar setting without ever signing the GSL.
Frankly, I'm shocked that people haven't talked about the insidious "Sedition Act" portion of the FSL. Basically, you're not allowed to say anything "disparaging, libellous, or inaccurate" about WotC products. Now, I can understand why they wouldn't want to lend their logo to a site called "1 Million Reasons 4e Sucks," but what about mechanical critiques of specific powers or the coming 8 million revisions to skill challenges? Or people who point out crazy linguistic quirks like "you are your own enemy"? After all, WotC has already adopted the position that any crazy issues with wording are the fan's fault for "misunderstanding" the designers. So is all hard-headed rules analysis now going to be labeled "inaccurate" even if it comes from people who play and generally enjoy 4e?
BTW, has anybody seen any reaction to this from the 4rries?
