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The Open Gaming Foundation:
Frequently Asked Questions
Version 2.0 -- January 26, 2004
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Please send comments, questions, or feedback to Linae Foster. Contents of this FAQ Copyright© 2001, by the Open Gaming Foundation. Much of the information contained in this FAQ relates to copyright and trademark law. The author, Ryan Dancey, is not an attorney and makes no representation about the accuracy of the legal material contained herein. This FAQ does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult their own legal counsel before proceeding with any Open Gaming project. Permission is granted to reproduce this document, in whole or in part, provided that this notice is preserved intact.
Wizards of the Coast®, Dungeons & Dragons®, d20 System, and other related names are Trademarks and/or Registered Trademarks of Wizards of the Coast. Open Gaming Foundation is a Trademark owned by Ryan S. Dancey.
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Q: What is the Open Gaming Foundation?
A: The Open Gaming Foundation (OGF) does not currently exist as a formal legal entity. It was created by Ryan S. Dancey as a vehicle to promote the idea of Open Gaming. As time and resources permit, it will be incorporated as a non-profit corporation and will seek 501(c)(3) IRS tax exempt status.
Q: Who owns the Open Gaming Foundation?
A: It is currently owned solely by Ryan S. Dancey.
Q: Who is Ryan S. Dancey?
A: Mr. Dancey wrote the first version of this FAQ, drafted the Open Game definition, wrote the Open Game License, wrote the d20 System Trademark License, created the Open Game Foundation, and prepared the first version of the System Reference Document. Mr. Dancey is a co-creator of the Legend of the Five Rings world, and is a former brand manager for Dungeons & Dragons. From 1996 to 1997, he was the VP of Product Development for Five Rings Publishing Group, Inc., from 1997 to 1998 was the Brand Manager of the FRPG division of Wizards of the Coast, and from 1999 to 2000 he was the VP of Tabletop Roleplaying Games at Wizards of the Coast. He is currently working on special projects for Wizards of the Coast. His game design credits include work on the Legend of the Five Rings trading card game, the Legend of the Burning Sands trading card game, and contributions to several Dungeons & Dragons products including the Hero Builder's Guidebook. He is a founder and co-owner of ISOMEDIA, Inc. He serves as a member of the Game Manufacturer's Association (GAMA) committee that oversees the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Sciences.
Q: What does the Open Gaming Foundation actually do?
A: Currently, the OGF operates a website that serves as a source of information about projects that comply with the Open Game definition. It also operates a series of email list servers devoted to topics related to Open Gaming.
Q: What is the connection between the OGF and Wizards of the Coast?
A: There is no formal relationship between the OGF and Wizards of the Coast. The owner of the Foundation is a Wizards of the Coast employee, but no part of the Foundation's activities are monitored by Wizards of the Coast, and the operation of the Foundation is not a part of the owner's employment responsibilities on behalf of Wizards of the Coast.
Mr. Dancey owns the computer and all the software the OGF uses to host its website and list servers.
Q: How can I request that information about my Open Gaming project appear on the Open Gaming Foundation website?
A: Send any information you have about your project and the terms of the license(s) you are using to the Foundation, care of Mr. Dancey. As time and resources permit, any project complying with the Open Game definition will be added to the list of known Open Game projects maintained by the Foundation.
You can also use the Open Game Foundation Registry (db.petrodatasource.com:3000) to make your work known to the public and receive feedback.
Q: How can I help the Foundation?
A: Please send any offers of assistance to the Foundation, care of Mr. Dancey. All offers of assistance are greatly appreciated.
Q: Why does the Open Gaming Foundation exist?
A: Open Gaming, if it is to be a successful philosophy, must become larger than the interests of one company. The Foundation has been established to be a publisher-neutral voice of support for the philosophy and adoption of the principles and ethics of the Open Game concepts. In the future, the Foundation may evolve into a more complex organization that will actively coordinate Open Game projects, work to protect Open Game licenses in court, or take other actions in support of the Open Game movement.
Q: Who will run the Open Gaming Foundation in the long term?
A: If the Foundation evolves into more than just a web site on the internet, it will eventually be necessary to establish a board of directors to oversee the Foundation, and hire staff members to fulfil the Foundation's objectives. When and if that time comes, a wide ranging discussion of the options and opinions of the interested parties will result in a transformation of the Foundation into something more than it is now. For the immediate future, the effort to simply get the basic ideas of Open Gaming to propagate is consuming all the resources at the Foundation's disposal. Once the initial stages of the birth of the Open Gaming movement have passed, the time will come to take stock of what has been achieved and start planning for the future.
Go to the d20 System main page for information about the d20 system
or check out the d20 System message boards for lively discussion.
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