Post by mediocreogre on Jan 9, 2023 17:59:34 GMT
So, i have a friend of a friend who works at both Paizo and WoTC, although the later is pretty low tier. Apparently when Paizo moved to 2e rules (different than this game’s rules which are essentially d&d 3.5e) they were preparing for a change to the open license but there’s fundamental legal questions about how much they might need to change still. The decision at WoTC is internally unpopular (hence the leak, probably from disgruntled employees) and mostly motivated by the ability to, for almost no cost, be able to strong arm millions of dollars in revenue over night.
If the document change follows the leak and doesn’t have any exemptions or whatever, basically all D&D “third party” material is subject to 25% of its gross profit (not actual profit, so this can bankrupt even successful companies (like if you raise 800000 on kickstarter for a project but only had 100000 after costs, you’re on the hook for 25% of the 800000)) taken and Wizards can seize/republish/use the material. So hypothetically D&D could make it’s own Pathfinder stuff. The issue from my Paizo affiliated friend is that D&D can enforce it retroactively. I couldn’t get an answer if Owlcat’s video games have special protection or would be exempt but even Pathfinder 3rd party content (like 3rd party of a third party) is vulnerable, so pathfinder fan play casts/art books etc. Horrible if that occurs.
My friend also gave me clear info about this: retroactivity is scary. They can literally revoke your specific ability to make content even if you are below the arbitrary income threshold. They can also change the new license whenever now.
The good news is that because the public is outraged (and even prominent 3rd party celebrities/businesses) there’s been a bit of panic behind the scenes at WoTC but who knows if that will change anything.
Also that there are so many successful third party businesses out there that they have money to challenge this legally, and already are.
If the document change follows the leak and doesn’t have any exemptions or whatever, basically all D&D “third party” material is subject to 25% of its gross profit (not actual profit, so this can bankrupt even successful companies (like if you raise 800000 on kickstarter for a project but only had 100000 after costs, you’re on the hook for 25% of the 800000)) taken and Wizards can seize/republish/use the material. So hypothetically D&D could make it’s own Pathfinder stuff. The issue from my Paizo affiliated friend is that D&D can enforce it retroactively. I couldn’t get an answer if Owlcat’s video games have special protection or would be exempt but even Pathfinder 3rd party content (like 3rd party of a third party) is vulnerable, so pathfinder fan play casts/art books etc. Horrible if that occurs.
My friend also gave me clear info about this: retroactivity is scary. They can literally revoke your specific ability to make content even if you are below the arbitrary income threshold. They can also change the new license whenever now.
The good news is that because the public is outraged (and even prominent 3rd party celebrities/businesses) there’s been a bit of panic behind the scenes at WoTC but who knows if that will change anything.
Also that there are so many successful third party businesses out there that they have money to challenge this legally, and already are.
)
