Is the difficulty check (DC) system copyrighted?
I'm using it in my system and wanted to know - if anyone here knows I'd appreciate it.
Game rules can't be copyrighted.
>>43799380
This >>43799413
Doubly so for something as simple as 'roll a dice, compare to number'.
>>43799413
The full explanation is as follows.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html
Basically, art and exact text may be copywritten, but the rules can be paraphrased and used freely.
And, considering that the DC system was part of the Open Game License, you're free to use the exact text involved in describing it.
>>43799380
Not sure if the actual term is copyrighted or trademarked or whatever, but the actual system isn't.
The concept of "roll a dice, add modifiers, compare to target number" is not and can not (reasonably) be copyrighted.
Since "Difficulty Checks" are part of the OGL, it's a bit foggy, but ultimately you can do the same thing can call them "target numbers" like everything not D&D/d20 does, or come up with your own fancy name for them.
Are you planning on selling it? Not that it matters because of >>43799413 >>43799508, but it would matter even less so unless you were planning on selling the product.
If you are, hooray for D&D heartbreaker #34627 hitting the market in Q3 2016.
>>43799380
Rules do not fall under copyrightable stuff; only a specific expression - that is, how some rulebook has written it down- is. Or to put it another way, you may use DC rule system as long as you don't copy the text from any published rulebook word for word.
(this post brought to you by images of wheelchairs)
Side note; some rules have actually been patented. The most famous I suppose is the WotC patent on tapping MtG cards (google it up). I've read somewhere people expressing doubt that such a patent would pass in these days.
>>43799589
The term "tapping" and its symbols are protected, but numerous card games use the mechanic, they're just forced to use a different name, like "Bowing" or "Spending".
It's the sort of thing where a large company that wanted to publish a card game could quite easily hire the lawyers to challenge being able to use the term "tapping," but most smaller companies just find it easier to use a different word since "tapping" isn't really all that great to begin with.
Didn't... WotC patent run out last year? I recall I read about that, somewhere.
Thanks bros. There is a possibility of (attempting) selling it. Of course there's still the bugs, wriing, art, layout, etc etc.
I appreciate the help :D
>>43799643
Yeah it's quicker and easier to just call it something different and make sure to use ever so slightly different wording for the mechanic itself.
>>43799786
>patent
Lol
>>43799643
Note that you can still do the physical act of tapping a card (touch it or turn it)
