--- In d20-xml@yahoogroups.com, "Matt Kendall" <matt_kendall@...> wrote:
> Is the 4e GSL going to allow for software products? Or is DM Genie
> generic enough that it doesn't need license support?
>
> Matt

We won't know until the license is officially released. June 6th,
wasn't it?

There are multiple thoughts on this in the mean time. DM Genie is not
attempting to conform to the 3.5E "d20" license, so it can include
things like XP tracking and leveling up characters/creatures. So far,
the 4E license is similar in that adherence to the license provides
marketing benefits ("Yes, our product is compatible!") but restricts
what is allowed to be implemented.

At issue is the legal protection provided by copyright ("the
expression of an idea") and paten ("a system or technique of doing
something"). Their rules are covered by copyright which gives them
the right to control derivative works, but the game rules themselves
cannot be covered by copyright but only by patents. And they don't
hold any patents on the game.

And there appear to further legal hurdles involved on the
international stage and the interpretation of some of the details
involved in the above concepts.

IANAL, but it seems to me that WotC would be opening a big can of
worms to do more than send C&D letters. I can't imagine they would
want to try such a case, either in front of a judge or in front of
their fan base. But what do I know? Corporations do stupid things
all the time...