-=[ Licenses ]=-
Licenses for Creators
Creator-made compatible products, old-school honesty, and the full packet as the controlling document.
Creator License Guide
This page summarizes the creator license options for Gorgon’s Grimoire games and systems. It is not a replacement for the full Open Garden and Inner Garden License Packet. Creators should read the full packet before publishing compatible work.
Open Garden License
Free creator tier
The Open Garden tier is the free creator license for compatible tabletop work built around Gorgon’s Grimoire rules and systems.
- Allows use, adaptation, and rewriting of Gorgon’s Grimoire game mechanics in the creator’s own words.
- Allows compatible products using those mechanics when they are expressed in original wording.
- Allows compatibility language such as Compatible with [Rule System].
- Requires the proper compatibility and disclaimer attribution.
- Does not allow use of Gorgon’s Grimoire logos, trademarks, setting IP, named lore, copyrighted text, or protected expressions.
- Does not grant software, VTT, app, digital SRD, or automated rules integration rights.
Open Garden Compatibility Statement
“This product is compatible with [Rule System]. [Rule System] is a trademark of Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC. This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC.”
Inner Garden License
Paid creator tier
The Inner Garden tier is the paid creator license. The packet lists an annual fee of $50 and describes the one-year term and renewal requirements.
- Grants additional permission to use Gorgon’s Grimoire trademarks, logos, symbols, branding, setting IP, and certain copyrighted rulebook text under the packet’s limits.
- Allows compatible products using licensed IP and text when all license conditions are followed.
- Requires visible attribution.
- Does not transfer ownership of Gorgon’s Grimoire IP.
- Does not allow sublicensing or replacement core rulebooks/SRDs.
- Does not by itself grant Commercial/VTT/software/platform hosting rights.
Inner Garden Attribution Statement
“This product uses Licensed IP from [Rulebook Name], published by Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC, under the Open Garden License.”
Commercial, VTT, and Software Licenses
The Open Garden and Inner Garden licenses do not grant rights to create or distribute software-based or interactive digital products, including video games, mobile apps, VTT rules integrations, automated rules engines, digital SRDs, or platform-level rule hosting.
Those uses require a separate written Commercial/VTT agreement with Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC.
Creator FAQ
Can I make compatible tabletop material?
Yes. The Open Garden tier allows compatible tabletop material using Gorgon’s Grimoire mechanics in your own words, with the required attribution and limits from the packet.
Can I use Gorgon’s Grimoire logos or setting names?
Not under the Open Garden tier. Use of logos, trademarks, branding, setting IP, and named lore belongs to the Inner Garden tier and the packet’s conditions.
Can I crowdfund a compatible product?
The packet allows crowdfunding. If the project uses Gorgon’s Grimoire IP under the Inner Garden tier, the Inner Garden license must be active before launching.
Can I make a VTT module, app, video game, digital SRD, or automated rules tool?
Not through Open Garden or Inner Garden alone. Software, VTT rules integrations, apps, video games, automated rules engines, digital SRDs, and platform-level rule hosting require a separate written Commercial/VTT agreement.
Do I keep ownership of my original work?
Yes. The packet states that creators retain ownership of their original material, while Gorgon’s Grimoire IP remains the property of Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC.
Where do I ask about commercial licensing?
Email gorgonsgrimoire@outlook.com for Commercial, VTT, software, app, digital SRD, automated rules integration, platform hosting, or other special licensing requests.
Attribution Examples
Open Garden: “This product is compatible with [Rule System]. [Rule System] is a trademark of Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC. This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC.”
Inner Garden: “This product uses Licensed IP from [Rulebook Name], published by Gorgon’s Grimoire LLC, under the Open Garden License.”
Plain-English Guide, Not Legal Replacement
This page is a plain-English guide. The full Open Garden / Inner Garden License Packet controls the actual license terms.
