As you may have heard, Wizards of the Coast is poised to release a new version of the Open Game License (v1.1). Parts of the license have been leaked online and it appears that Wizards' intent is to revoke the current version of the OGL, forcing creators to adopt the new version. Whether this is actually legal for them to do, under the terms of the license, is seemingly open to interpretation.
A huge number of games, including our own Old-School Essentials, are founded on the Open Game License. If that license were revoked, such games would be in jeopardy. The leaked version of the new OGL includes some extremely unappealing terms, most notably granting Wizards a "nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sub-licensable, royalty-free license" to use content released under the OGL "for any purpose".
Needless to say, we are making various contingency plans in anticipation of the official release of the new OGL. Once the official release happens and we've had time to fully digest its implications, we will announce any possible alterations to our publication schedule.
39 comments
I really hope that you (with capable legal advice) are able to stand up to any efforts by Hasbro to get in your way or slow you down releasing material. Many people are fans of your work and will support your decisions. Thank you!
I’ve already started archiving my vast PDF collection from DTRPG.
I fully support Old school essentials, I have been playing Reto-clones for greater part of a decade. I feel saddened by what news I have heard of a revokable license which I had thought was set in perpetuality. I enjoy OSR and play many Roleplaying games which are set up on the OGL 1 which would enslave the authors of those supplements and adventures under a uniform compact.
You guys have created a wonderful product that I am proud to have on my bookshelf. If it should happen that you have to abandon it or move on to something new, it’s a given that I will continue to support you over any company that made such a change necessary.