Survivor wrote:
Can anyone explain to me, in ordinary layman's English, what the OGL really says? I can't read it to save my hide...

This is really a publishing topic, but what do I care about that :D Let me try to translate the high points:

1: Content = gaming material.

2: You cannot use OGL content without denoting it as such. By using OGL content you accept the licence. Any content containing a notice about using this licence is OGL content. You cannot use any other licencing schemes when using OGL.

4: If you agree to the licence you can use any OGL content in the ways licence allows.

5: You can only make content you own OGL.

6: When using the licence, you have to update the §15 to include your own copyright notice (if you include any material you have the copyright to) as well as the notices from any other OGL sources you've used. So if you use a mechanic from an OGL book, you have to copy the copyright notice in full into your own book.

7: You won't use any product identity (that is, you won't mention another game) without a separate contract. This includes also works that do not include OGL content. By my reading this can also include any other IP, so technically you have to get permission to mention, say, Harry Potter.

8: You have to clearly indicate which parts of your book are OGL. This can include things you yourself make OGL, as well as any content you take from other sources. Derivative work must be under OGL! The common ways to do this differentiation are to either have a list of pages under OGL or to, for example, have a gray background on any OGL content. The important thing is that there is no danger of mistaking OGL for other content and vice versa.

9: All versions of OGL licence are compatible. Wizards can write new versions if they want, and all OGL works are usable under the new versions. This doesn't mean that you can get new rights from a new version of the licence, but rather that any such licence is counted as an OGL licence for the old licence. No need to worry about this one currently.

10: You must have the licence in your book.

11: You cannot use the name of any OGL creator without their permission in your marketing. This is just the product identity thing extended to personalities.

12&13: The license overrides law: if you cannot comply due to local law, you cannot use the license. If you fail to comply with the license, the license terminates without notification within thirty days.

14: If a part of the license is for some reason unenforceable (say, it's taken to court and the judge decides that §11 is against the local law) this won't affect the bind of the other parts.

15: This is where you append any copyright notices from the works you're using.


So, in practice you have to worry about the following:
1) Mark all OGL content clearly.
2) Include the license and all copyright notices necessary.
3) Don't use any names of games or other properties without permission.

Of these the first is a matter of layout and organization and the second of keeping notes of where you lift things from. Neither is too onerous or complex to do. The third is a little harder, but generally you can get the permission if you ask nicely and have no inappropriate plans.

If you have any questions, shoot away. The license is really quite simple, simple enough that a foreigner can parse it out.