Basic Fantasy core rules PDF with new art

[Ironwolf]

So, someone elsewhere online took the free Basic Fantasy core rulebook PDF, and changed out the art in it with different images. I think the new art looks very nice, but art is very subjective, so your mileage may vary.

Can such a thing be freely shared online? Are there legal ramifications for such a thing? I literally have no idea. But I respect Mr. Gonnerman, and was curious about his thoughts on this.

[SmootRK]

Link?
I would want to see what is being mentioned here.

[Ironwolf]

I don't have a link, I just have the PDF. I've had it for about a year now, and don't remember the original link.

I can always upload it to something like zippyshare or another file sharing site, but again, what are the legal ramifications of such a thing, and is Chris Gonnerman ok with this?

[chiisu81]

Is it only the artwork that's been changed out, or is this a re-titled "new game"?
The text of the game is Open Content, but the artwork, name "Basic Fantasy RPG", and a few other things (as noted on the OGL license page) are Product Identity, and therefore require explicit permission from the copyright holders to be used.
It would either way also need the OGL license following the structure, etc. of BFRPG since it's the work/content it's using.

Solo may PM you (Ironwolf) to see a copy and any info; hopefully you can understand why I've decided to lock this thread (it's nothing personal, promise!).

[Solomoriah]

It's not really legal to distribute the core rules in a modified state without my permission, as the Product Identity License does not directly allow it. Even if distributed for free, it's a violation.

Ironwolf, if you don't mind, please email me a copy of what you have at: solomoriah@basicfantasy.org

Or if you are a Dropbox user, give me your email address and I'll share a folder where you can upload it.

[Ironwolf]

The PDF is nearly 100 mb in size. Too big to email. I can print to PDF and just choose the first few pages, and email that if you would like.

I don't have dropbox. I can put the entire PDF on zippyshare and send you the unpublished link as another option.

[chiisu81]

https://send.firefox.com/

[Ironwolf]

https://send.firefox.com/

OK, I uploaded it there, and I PMed the link to Solomoriah.

[Solomoriah]

Ironwolf, thank you. I've reviewed it, and here is my official opinion (not a lawyer, just giving my layman's understanding of the thing):

First, this is absolutely and clearly a violation of the Product Identity license. It is a derivative work that presents itself as "actually being the Basic Fantasy RPG" core rules.

Second, this is a violation of the rights of the artist(s) whose are was inserted in place of the original art. I do like some of it, though not nearly all, but it doesn't matter... disregarding their copyright is illegal. Also rude.

Third, this is also rude (though probably not illegal per se) to the artists who contributed the art that was removed. Their names still appear in the credits, even though as far as I can see only two of them actually still have any art in the PDF.

It is absolutely acceptable to create something like this for personal consumption... printing your own copy, even perhaps handing copies to your gaming group, is fine. But there is absolutely no way this should be shared online nor distributed in any other way beyond the confines of the personal real world friends of the person who did this thing.

If anyone finds a site where this PDF is available for download, please let me know ASAP by PM or email to solomoriah@basicfantasy.org so I can send a proper complaint to that site's operator (and hosting provider, if the operator does not respond appropriately).

Again, thanks Ironwolf for bringing this to my attention.