Paizo House Cleaning: Starfinder & Pathfinder Get Updated Licenses
Paizo is moving away from the OGL, and as part of the move, Pathfinder 2E and Starfinder 2E get updated licenses and fan content policies.
Paizo, makers of Pathfinder and Starfinder, released a series of updates to their licenses ahead of the launch of Starfinder 2E. With a new landing page that features all the changes, including all the information you need whether you’re a fan or a full on third-party publisher, Paizo has revealed a big part of their licensing strategy.
There are three major changes all in all. First up, a big change to the Pathfinder and Starfinder Infinite community content publishing platform. If you weren’t aware, this is basically DriveThruRPG but for Starfinder/Pathfinder specifically, kind of like how the DM’s Guild is DriveThruRPG but for D&D.
Also Paizo is merging the Pathfinder and Starfinder compatibility licenses into one Paizo Compatibility License. Last, but certainly not least, there’s a new Fan Content Policy which replaces the old Community Use Policy and enables fans/creators to go pretty far, up to and including selling Pathfinder merch, with some pretty specific restrictions.
Paizo Updates Licensing for Pathfinder and Starfinder
In a blog post, Paizo explained some of its new changes Though, of course, you can find everything you need at their new “license landing page“.
So what are the big changes? First up, the Paizo Compatibility License. This is one single compatibility license that allows publishers to declare compatibility with any of Paizo’s games and use the appropriate logo. Similarly, Paizo has gotten rid of its “registration process”, now you agree to the license when you publish it. So all you have to do is, “create your content, ensure you’re following all the rules of the license, and you’re ready to go.” Pretty straightforward.
The change to Pathfinder/Starfinder Infinite, though, is a little more impactful. As mentioned, these are basically the DTRPGs for Pathfinder/Starfinder exclusively. And, like D&D’s DM’s Guild, there’s a pretty robust community created marketplace on there. However, crucially, Paizo has said the ORC License isn’t usable on those platforms, and Paizo’s IP is “accessed” via a separate “Infinite License.”
And starting September 1st, you will no longer be able to publish new OGL content on Pathfinder/Starfinder Infinite, you’ll have to use the Infinite License exclusively. Which puts a hold on Starfinder plans, since Starfinder 2nd Edition isn’t out yet, so there’s no license for it on the Infinite Platform:
This means that until Starfinder Second Edition is officially out in just over a year, Starfinder content on the platform is going to need to be free of rules (setting lore, fiction, art assets, etc.) but once the new edition of the game is out, we plan to relaunch Starfinder Infinite in style. It also means that Pathfinder First Edition content, or Pathfinder Second Edition content based on OGL material, will also sunset from the platform in just over a month. So, if you have a Pathfinder product in the works featuring chuuls, the eight schools of magic, or yes, even drow, you have until the end of August to release them. We won’t be removing OGL-based content from the marketplace in September, but you won’t be able to release new material using the OGL after that point.
Finally, the Fan Content Policy is a new license that reflects a much more generous attitude towards Paizo fans and their creations. At least for creators who do their own creating:
First, the Fan Content Policy will allow you to sell merchandise using our IP. Yes, for money. You will also be able to monetize other content using Paizo’s IP, like putting a live play of one of our Adventure Paths behind a Patreon paywall. There are restrictions to this, however, so make sure you read the license carefully before you put in your order with the factory to make high-end poster maps of Golarion. Anything you sell needs to be made by you and sold directly by you to the consumer.
So get ready for even more Pathfinder Goblin Plushies than ever. As long as they’re handmade.
