Version 0.9 – Effective 14/11/2025
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This license governs use of The Woven Codex and all official lore, settings, terminology, characters, and worldbuilding materials designated by Woven Realms as part of the shared universe foundation (collectively, “Codex Materials”).
This license is designed to:
- Keep the core shared universe open and freely available to all creators
- Allow creators to build proprietary works using Codex Materials
- Protect creators’ ownership of their original contributions
- Maintain a clear, controlled “canon” version of the shared universe
- Prevent confusion between official and community-created content
HOW TO USE THIS LICENSE
For Creators Using Codex Materials:
- Read this license carefully
- Create your Derivative Work using Codex Materials
- Include required attribution (Section 4)
- Include disclaimer about non-official status (Section 6.2)
- License your Original Elements however you want
- Publish!
For Contributors to the Codex:
- Create your lore or worldbuilding
- Submit via [wovenrealms.org/submit]
- Provide written consent for inclusion under Section 5
- If accepted, your contribution becomes part of the open Codex
For Us (Woven Realms):
- Publish all Codex Materials with this license clearly displayed
- Maintain the official Codex at [wovenrealms.org/codex]
- Review and accept/reject Codex Contributions
- Enforce this license as needed
Note: For those publishing material, we would also encourage you to consider submitting your creations to be viewable (to some extent), on the Woven Realms website. This effort in creating new material, hosting it on the site, and/or adding to the Codex, is what is functionally expanding our living, shared world. Without this, it would just be one person’s/group’s creation.
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
1.1 “Woven Realms” means Woven Realms, the organization maintaining the Woven Codex and official universe materials.
1.2 “Codex Materials” means all lore, worldbuilding, characters, locations, historical events, factions, species, magic systems, cosmology, and other creative elements officially published by Woven Realms as part of The Woven Codex, as updated from time to time. The official version is always available at [wovenrealms.org/codex].
1.3 “You” or “Creator” means any individual or organization using Codex Materials under this license.
1.4 “Derivative Work” means any creative work (including but not limited to novels, short stories, games, films, videos, podcasts, artwork, music, or other media) that incorporates, references, adapts, or builds upon Codex Materials.
1.5 “Original Elements” means all creative content in your Derivative Work that is:
- Not derived from Codex Materials
- Created by you or properly licensed to you
- Examples include: your original characters, your original plot, your original dialogue, your original artwork, your original game mechanics, your original code
1.6 “Codex Contribution” means new lore, worldbuilding, or other creative material that you submit and Woven Realms accepts for inclusion in the official Codex Materials.
1.7 “Product Identity” means trademarks, logos, trade dress, and branding elements owned by Woven Realms, including but not limited to:
- The name “Woven Realms”
- The Woven Realms logo and visual branding
- Official product names and packaging
- Any materials explicitly marked as “Product Identity” in Codex Materials
SECTION 2: GRANT OF RIGHTS TO USE CODEX MATERIALS
2.1 Permission to Use
Subject to the terms of this license, Woven Realms grants you a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to:
(a) Access, read, and reference Codex Materials for any purpose
(b) Incorporate, adapt, modify, and build upon Codex Materials in your Derivative Works
(c) Distribute, publish, perform, display, and sell your Derivative Works in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes
(d) Create Derivative Works in any creative medium, including but not limited to: novels, short stories, games (board games, card games, video games, tabletop RPGs), films, videos, podcasts, artwork, comics, music, or any other form of creative expression
2.2 Licensing Your Derivative Work
You may license your Derivative Work under any terms you choose, except that you may not:
(a) Re-license or recharacterize Codex Materials themselves under any open copyleft license, including but not limited to GNU General Public License (GPL), Affero General Public License (AGPL), or any other license requiring that derivatives adopt the same license terms (collectively, “Copyleft Licenses”)
(b) Apply a license to your Derivative Work that requires or implies that Codex Materials themselves must be licensed under that license
(c) Create the impression, through licensing terms, disclaimers, or marketing materials, that Codex Materials are available under any license other than the Woven Realms Universe License
What this means in practice:
- You CAN license your original creative elements under any open license, proprietary license, or any other license
- Your novel, game, or other Derivative Work can be licensed however you choose
- You CANNOT claim that Codex Materials portion is under a copyleft license or other license
- You MUST clearly identify which portions of your work are Codex Materials (by proper attribution per Section 4) and note they remain under WRUL
- You MUST ensure your Derivative Work’s license does not restrict others’ ability to use Codex Materials under WRUL
2.3 Limitations
This license does not grant you:
(a) Any ownership interest in Codex Materials
(b) The right to claim Codex Materials as your own creation
(c) The right to modify the official Codex Materials published by Woven Realms
(d) The right to use Product Identity in a way that suggests official endorsement or creates confusion about the source of your work (see Section 6)
SECTION 3: YOUR OWNERSHIP OF DERIVATIVE WORKS
3.1 Full Ownership of Original Elements
You retain complete ownership and all intellectual property rights in your Original Elements. This includes:
- Copyright in your original creative expression
- Trademark rights in your original brands and titles
- Patent rights in your original inventions (if applicable)
- All other intellectual property rights you create
3.2 Licensing Your Derivative Work
You may license your Derivative Work under any terms you choose, including:
- Proprietary “all rights reserved” licensing
- Open licenses of any kind
- Hybrid models (e.g., free for personal use, paid for commercial use)
- Any other licensing structure
3.3 Commercial Rights
You may sell, monetize, and commercially exploit your Derivative Work without restriction, including through:
- Direct sales (books, games, merchandise)
- Digital distribution (ebooks, apps, streaming)
- Licensing to third parties
- Crowdfunding campaigns
- Any other commercial model
3.4 No Royalties to Woven Realms
You owe no royalties, fees, or revenue share to Woven Realms for creating or selling Derivative Works using Codex Materials.
SECTION 4: ATTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Mandatory Attribution
All Derivative Works must include clear attribution to Woven Realms and the Codex Materials. Attribution must include:
(a) A statement that the work uses Codex Materials from Woven Realms
(b) A link or reference to the official Codex at [wovenrealms.org/codex]
(c) A statement that Codex Materials are available under the Woven Realms Universe License
(d) The version number of the Codex Materials used (if applicable)
4.2 Recommended Attribution Format
We recommend the following attribution format, which may be placed in your work’s credits, copyright page, or “about” section:
This work incorporates materials from The Woven Codex by Woven Realms, available at wovenrealms.org/codex and used under the Woven Realms Universe License v0.9. Woven Realms and The Woven Codex are properties of Woven Realms. All original elements of this work are © [Your Name/Organization] [Year].
4.3 Attribution Placement
Attribution must be:
- Clearly visible and reasonably accessible to users of your work
- Included in physical products (in credits, copyright page, or packaging)
- Included in digital products (in credits, about section, or metadata)
- Included in promotional materials where authorship is typically credited
4.4 No Endorsement
Attribution must not suggest that Woven Realms endorses, sponsors, or is affiliated with your Derivative Work unless you have written permission from Woven Realms.
SECTION 5: CODEX CONTRIBUTIONS
5.1 Voluntary Contribution Process
If you wish to contribute new lore or worldbuilding to the official Codex Materials, you must:
(a) Submit your proposed contribution to Woven Realms through the official submission process at [wovenrealms.org/submit]
(b) Clearly identify the material you wish to contribute
(c) Provide written consent for your contribution to be included in the Codex Materials under the terms of this Section 5
5.2 Rights Granted by Contributors
By submitting a Codex Contribution and providing written consent, you grant Woven Realms and all users of Codex Materials:
(a) A perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and distribute your Codex Contribution as part of the official Codex Materials
(b) Permission for your Codex Contribution to be used by all creators under this license on the same terms as all other Codex Materials
(c) Permission for Woven Realms to edit, modify, or adapt your contribution for consistency with the official Codex
5.3 Contributor Ownership
You retain ownership and copyright in your Codex Contributions. However:
(a) Once accepted, your contribution becomes part of the open Codex Materials available to all under this license
(b) You cannot later revoke permission for your contribution to be used as part of the Codex
(c) You can continue to use your own contribution in your own works
(d) Others may use your contribution under this license, including for commercial purposes
5.4 Acceptance and Rejection
Woven Realms has sole discretion to accept or reject any Codex Contribution. Woven Realms may:
(a) Accept contributions as submitted
(b) Accept contributions with modifications (with your agreement)
(c) Reject contributions for any reason, including inconsistency with existing Codex Materials, quality concerns, or thematic fit
5.5 Contributor Attribution
If your Codex Contribution is accepted, Woven Realms will:
(a) Include your contribution in the Codex changelog or contributors list
(b) Recognize your contribution in accordance with standard creative attribution practices
5.6 No Obligation
Nothing in this license requires you to contribute to the Codex. You may create Derivative Works without ever submitting Codex Contributions.
SECTION 6: USE OF PRODUCT IDENTITY
6.1 Limited License to Product Identity
You may use Product Identity in your Derivative Works only as follows:
(a) Permitted Uses:
- Stating that your work is “set in the Woven Realms universe”
- Referencing “The Woven Codex” as the source of lore
- Using the phrase “compatible with Woven Realms” or similar descriptive language
- Factual statements about the relationship between your work and Codex Materials
(b) Prohibited Uses (Unless Authorized in Writing):
- Using Woven Realms logos or branding in your own branding or product packaging, except with prior written consent from Woven Realms
- Suggesting official endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with Woven Realms, except with prior written consent from Woven Realms
- Using Product Identity in a way that creates confusion about whether your work is an official Woven Realms product, except with prior written consent from Woven Realms
- Copying the trade dress, packaging, or visual identity of official Woven Realms products, except with prior written consent from Woven Realms
For written authorization requests, contact: [[email protected]]
Example uses that may be authorized:
- Official collaborations with Woven Realms
- Licensed expansions (e.g., official novels, games)
- Co-branded promotional materials
- Official derivative products approved by Woven Realms
6.2 Disclaimer Requirement
All Derivative Works using Codex Materials must include a clear disclaimer that:
(a) Your work is not an official Woven Realms product
(b) Your work is created independently under the Woven Realms Universe License
Recommended disclaimer format:
This is an independent work created under the Woven Realms Universe License and is not an official Woven Realms product. Woven Realms has not endorsed or approved this work.
6.3 Enforcement
Woven Realms reserves the right to:
(a) Request removal of Product Identity from works that violate this Section 6
(b) Require modifications to branding, packaging, or marketing materials that create confusion
(c) Enforce trademark rights in Product Identity against infringing uses
SECTION 7: COMMUNITY DERIVATIVE WORKS VS. OFFICIAL CODEX
7.1 Distinction Between Official and Community Content
Only materials published by Woven Realms at [wovenrealms.org/codex] or explicitly designated as official Codex Materials are part of the shared canonical universe foundation.
7.2 Community Derivative Works
When you create a Derivative Work:
(a) Your Original Elements do not become part of the official Codex unless you submit them and they are accepted under Section 5
(b) Other creators are not obligated to reference, use, or maintain consistency with your Derivative Work
(c) Your Derivative Work exists in the broader Woven Realms creative ecosystem but is not canon unless officially accepted
7.3 No Cross-Contamination
Creating a Derivative Work under this license does not:
(a) Add your Original Elements to the Codex Materials
(b) Grant other creators rights to use your Original Elements (unless you separately license them)
(c) Create any obligation for Woven Realms to incorporate your work into the official Codex
7.4 Recommendation to Creators
Woven Realms recommends that creators building Derivative Works:
(a) Use the official Codex at [wovenrealms.org/codex] as the authoritative source
(b) Clearly distinguish their Original Elements from Codex Materials
(c) Respect other creators’ Original Elements and seek permission before incorporating them
SECTION 8: WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS
8.1 Your Warranties
By creating a Derivative Work under this license, you represent and warrant that:
(a) You have the legal right and authority to create and distribute your Derivative Work
(b) Your Original Elements do not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights
(c) Your Derivative Work complies with all applicable laws and regulations
(d) You have obtained all necessary permissions for any third-party materials included in your work
8.2 Disclaimer by Woven Realms
Codex Materials are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
8.3 No Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
(a) Woven Realms is not liable for any claims arising from your use of Codex Materials or creation of Derivative Works
(b) You agree to indemnify and hold Woven Realms harmless from any claims arising from your Derivative Work
(c) Woven Realms makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, or accuracy of Codex Materials
SECTION 9: CONTENT STANDARDS
9.1 Prohibited Content
You may not create Derivative Works that:
(a) Contain hateful, discriminatory, or harmful content targeting individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
(b) Promote illegal activities, violence, or harm to others
(c) Contain defamatory, fraudulent, or misleading content
(d) Violate applicable laws or regulations
9.2 Enforcement
Woven Realms reserves the right to:
(a) Publicly disavow Derivative Works that violate Section 9.1
(b) Request that platforms remove infringing content
(c) Revoke the license granted to specific creators who violate Section 9.1 (see Section 11)
9.3 No Approval Requirement
Except as specified in Section 9.1, Woven Realms does not review, approve, or endorse Derivative Works before publication. You have creative freedom to create works using Codex Materials.
SECTION 10: UPDATES TO CODEX MATERIALS
10.1 Versioning
Woven Realms may update, revise, or expand Codex Materials over time. Each version will be clearly marked with a version number.
10.2 Your Choice of Version
You may base your Derivative Work on any version of Codex Materials you choose. You are not required to update your work when new versions are released.
10.3 Compatibility
Woven Realms will make reasonable efforts to maintain backward compatibility when updating Codex Materials, but cannot guarantee that all updates will be compatible with existing Derivative Works.
10.4 Changelog
Woven Realms will maintain a publicly accessible changelog documenting changes between versions of Codex Materials.
SECTION 11: TERMINATION
11.1 Termination for Breach
Your rights under this license will automatically terminate if you:
(a) Violate the content standards in Section 9.1
(b) Misuse Product Identity in violation of Section 6
(c) Fail to provide required attribution under Section 4
(d) Claim ownership of Codex Materials
11.2 Notice and Cure
For breaches under Sections 4 or 6, Woven Realms will provide written notice and allow you 30 days to cure the breach before termination becomes effective.
11.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination:
(a) You must immediately cease distribution of Derivative Works under this license
(b) You must remove or modify any use of Product Identity
(c) Copies of your Derivative Work already distributed may continue to be used by recipients, but you may not distribute new copies
(d) Your ownership of Original Elements is not affected
11.4 Survival
Sections 3 (Your Ownership), 5.3 (Contributor Ownership for accepted contributions), 8 (Warranties), and this Section 11.4 survive termination.
SECTION 12: GENERAL PROVISIONS
12.1 Irrevocability
Except for termination under Section 11, this license is irrevocable. Once Woven Realms publishes Codex Materials under this license, anyone may rely on these terms perpetually.
12.2 No Partnership
This license does not create a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, or agency relationship between you and Woven Realms.
12.3 Entire Agreement
This license constitutes the entire agreement between you and Woven Realms regarding use of Codex Materials, except where you have a separate written agreement with Woven Realms.
12.4 Severability
If any provision of this license is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
12.5 Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
This license is governed by the laws of Tennessee, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. In the event of a dispute that cannot be resolved through informal negotiation, both parties agree to submit to binding arbitration through international arbitration administered by WIPO Arbitration or the International Chamber of Commerce, with proceedings conducted in English.
12.6 Amendments
Woven Realms may publish revised versions of this license. You may choose to use any version of this license for your Derivative Works, but Codex Materials published under a specific version remain available under that version.
12.7 Contact
Questions about this license may be directed to: [[email protected]]