When we received the press release from the Valart Project announcing the recall of the 32-page Gen Con Preview of The Book Of Erotic Fantasy (see 'Valar Recalls Preview'), we contacted the Valar Project to find out whether the company had voluntarily abandoned the d20 trademark or was forced to do so by Wizards of the Coast.  Anthony Valterra of the Valar Project sent us the following statement as explanation:

'The publishers of the worlds best selling fantasy roleplaying game (hereafter 'the company') sent us a breech letter informing us that we could no longer make use of the license which indicates compatibility with the worlds best selling fantasy roleplaying game (hereafter 'the license') and that we must order the destruction of all material (including our 32 page preview) that we had created for the Book of Erotic Fantasy.  This must be carried out immediately (without 30 day cure) as per the new provisions of 'the license.'

''The company' has an absolute right to alter 'the license.'  And by the terms of the new version of 'the license' have an absolute right to revoke the use of 'the license and order the destruction of materials bearing any trademark that they own.  Valar Project is complying with 'the company's' request as quickly as we can and will be attempting to let as many retailers and distributors know that they must destroy any copies of the 32-page Book of Erotic Fantasy preview that might be in their possession.  Valar Project has already destroyed its remaining inventory.  'The company' has made it clear to us that we do not need to order consumers to destroy any privately held copies of the product.  I do not know, but I would assume, that this means that consumers may possess, make use of, copy, give away, or sell the 32-page preview of the Book of Erotic Fantasy to other consumers without fear of reprisal from 'the company.'

'Valar Project is moving forward with the full 192 page Book of Erotic Fantasy, which will come out under the provisions of the OGL license and will contain the exact same content as it would have under 'the license.''