Policies (fwd)

Forwarded message:
>From <@????.?????????.edu:owner-adnd-l@????????.???.edu> Thu Sep  8 16:06:03 1994
Message-Id: <199409082205.QAA06976@??????.??.???.??.cr>
Date:         Thu, 8 Sep 1994 12:09:23 -0500
Reply-To: Rob Repp <mobius@???????.???.com>
Sender: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons discussion list
              <ADND-L%UTARLVM1.BITNET@????.?????????.edu>
From: Rob Repp <mobius@???????.???.com>
Subject:      Policies
To: Multiple recipients of list ADND-L <ADND-L%UTARLVM1.BITNET@????.?????????.edu>

This might work... I'm still getting the hang of listservers in general.
-sigh- I miss DiversiDials and WILDCAT 1.0 BBS systems.


OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION - PLEASE REPOST

Recently, TSR, Inc. issued a policy statement regarding the unlicensed use
of TSR owned trademarks and copyrights in several cretive efforts published
on the Internet. TSR's policy remains unchanged regarding these
infringements. We generally ask that you do not publish materials which
incorporate our trademarks and copyrights. However, we believe we have a
working solution for gamers who wish to exchange via the Internet any
gaming material they have created.

TSR is pleased to annouce a licensed Internet FTP file server. MPGNet's
site (ftp to ftp.mpgn.com) will carry a license that allows your creations
to be shared with the world via the Internet. In order to distribute your
texts, software and message digests via this server, you must include the
following disclaimer:

____________________________________________________________________________
______________
This item incorporates or is based on or derived from copyrighted material
of TSR, Inc. and may contain trademarks of TSR. The item is made available
by MPGNet under license from TSR, but is not authorized or endorsed by TSR.
The item is for personal use only and may not be published or distributed
except through MPGNet or TSR.
____________________________________________________________________________
______________

In text files, this text must be placed at the top of the file where it
will be seen immediately. In message logs from list servers, a file
containing this text should be added to the archive file with the message
texts, or be placed at the top of a compiled text file. For software
distribution, a file containing this text should be added to the archive
file with the software if the software has already been compiled, or added
during development to a prominent display seen by the user when the
software is launched.

If you add this text to your work and upload it to ftp.mpgn.com, you can
share your effort with the rest of the Internet. It does not give you
permission to upload your creative effort to any unlicensed sites. Please
note that you are not assigning any property rights to TSR, Inc. by
uploading your work to this site.

At this time, there is only one licensed site for distribution of these
materials on the Internet. Presently, there are no mirrors being made
available. We are aware of several requests for overseas and duplicate
domestic sites. We are working to fulfill these requests. Also, several of
the commercial online service providers are working with us to develop
online forums which can carry these files.

Thanks for your continued interest in our games.


Rob Repp                           | InterNet: tsrinc@???.com
Manager, Digital Projects Group    | InterNet: mobius@???????.???.com
TSR, Inc.                          | CompuServe: 76217,761
__________________________________ | GEnie: TSR.Online  AOL: TSR Inc
All opinions are my own, not TSR's | 414-248-3625    Fax 414-248-0389


AND_______________



(Policy Statement to rec.games.frp.dnd):

>REGARDING TRADEMARKED AND COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL USED ON-LINE:
TSR is now an active member of the on-line gaming community. Since Day-One,
TSR products and artwork have been developed by creative people employed or
hired by TSR. This has resulted in the creation of an extensive line of
products, identities, names, rules, game mechanics, logos, and standards of
quality, to name a few. The gaming products, novels, and publications are
designed to encourage resourcefulness and creativity in play. All of these
created properties are owned by TSR through national trademarks and
copyrights which protect their publication - electronically or published on
paper. When they are published by anyone other than TSR, Inc. or their
licensees, this publication becomes an infringement to TSR trademarks and
copyrights.

However, the gamers, designers, writers, artists, and editors who work for
TSR, do not wish to inhibit role playing game play.

>SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTINUED PLAY:

WHEN USING TSR PROPERTIES:
You can create material using the AD&D game mechanics, etc. and place that
material on MPGNet, a licensee of TSR, or place it on AOL on TSR's new
Bulletin Board. You can download anything -- graphics, games, etc.
appearing on TSR AOL for your personal use. Currently, any other
distribution to the general public - in paper form or on the net -  of AD&D
adventures, other TSR materials and game mechanics, or copyrighted
materials is considered unauthorized. However, you CAN freely distribute or
publish "generic" novels, stories, game mechanics, etc. Read on.

HOW TO CREATE GENERIC MATERIAL - SOME TIPS:
Don't specifically use AD&D statistics. Be creative. If you want a PC to
encounter a stupid but strong NPC, let the GM determine the NPC's actual
stats for the game system used by that GM. If the party encounters a hydra,
let the GM look up the stats for the hydra in the game system he is using.

Don't set the adventures in a TSR world. Create your own or use one from
history or legend. For example, you could set your adventure in Atlantis,
but not in the FORGOTTEN REALMS Adventure World.

Don't use monsters, spells, etc. that were created by TSR. Create and name
your own. Draw on history, legend or reality - even spell their actual
names backward for uniqueness.

Or, if a monster or spell is used in several different game systems, this
is a good indication that it is not owned by TSR. For example, Drow were
created by TSR, but a hydra is a known legendary monster and is public
domain.

You really can get going creatively when you invent your own, unique, game
mechanics . . . worlds, monsters, etc. And you are free to publish anywhere
when you specifically do not rely on AD&D game mechanics or other material
from TSR.

With our new on-line forum on AOL, we'd like to hear from you about games,
graphics, audio, and other material you'd like to download for your own
gaming. Please let us know. We plan to be electronically publishing a lot
of great things in the future for your  gaming use.

(R) and TM designate trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. (c) 1994 TSR, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.


Rob Repp                           | InterNet: tsrinc@???.com
Manager, Digital Projects Group    | InterNet: mobius@???????.???.com
TSR, Inc.                          | CompuServe: 76217,761
__________________________________ | GEnie: TSR.Online  AOL: TSR Inc
All opinions are my own, not TSR's | 414-248-3625    Fax 414-248-0389