Dungeons & Dragons developers Wizards of the Coast (WotC) have nearly completely walked back its original updates to the OGL, including keeping content released under the first OGL intact.
Kyle Brink, the Executive Producer of Dungeons & Dragons, released a lengthy blog post on D&D Beyond apologizing for the company's recent actions regarding the OGL, including WotC's initial lack of response. Brink announced that the developer would release an updated OGL on Jan. 20, then give fans two weeks to answer a survey giving their reactions to the changes. Though he did not specify all the details, he noted several significant factors that the changed OGL would not impact. These included a line stating, "Nothing will impact any content you have published under OGL 1.0a. That will always be licensed under OGL 1.0a."
While Brink stated that the updates would not impact previously published content under OGL 1.0a, he did not specify that third-party creators could continue to use the original agreement as the community has called for. Other significant changes to the proposed OGL update include keeping many forms of content untouched which initially would have seen major complications under the new agreement. These include all videos, accessories for third-party-owned content, non-published work like paid DMing services, VTT content and DMs Guild works. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast won't implement royalties and will continue to let creators own their content without license-back requirements.
Wizards' DnD OGL Update Outraged Fans and Third-Party Creators
Previously, fans expressed outrage over WotC's first OGL controversy response. While it canceled the royalties aspect of the proposed OGL update, multiple fans accused WotC of lying throughout, particularly when calling the OGL a "draft." Several third-party creators claimed they'd received the new OGL along with a contract to sign, signaling it was intended as a final form. Others took offense at a specific comment in the apology where WotC stated, "You're going to hear people say that they won, and we lost because making your voices heard forced us to change our plans. Those people will only be half right. They won—and so did we."
Dungeons & Dragons Fans Protest the OGL with #OpenDnD
Shortly after WotC's DnD OGL update leaked, fans flocked to social media to protest the changes. Many pointed out how it would push substantial limitations on content creators and risk many seeing their products made and sold by Wizards of the Coast without permission. Others feared the royalties would harm third-party businesses with its 25% take on anything made above $750,000, regardless of actual profit. An open letter signed by over 50,000 fans as part of the #OpenDnD protest pointed out these concerns and called on the company to walk back an update to the OGL altogether.
"Nothing about this new license is "open," the letter stated. "It chokes the vibrant community that has flourished under the original license. No matter the creator, it locks everyone into a new contract that restricts their work, makes it mandatory to report their projects and revenues to Wizards of the Coast, and gives WotC the legal right to reproduce and resell creators' content without permission or compensation."
Source: D&D Beyond