Here's a novel idea for a game!

[CrimsonToker]

A mobile client for people to play D&D online with one another. I've been looking for something like this. I know there are, for example, mobile Go servers to play head to head with others, and of course character sheets. Why can't the be combined?

 

[mikedt]

I suppose because no devs have done it. Thing with D&D it's got to be licensed by Hasbro, the rights holders probably, and that means $$$. TSR Inc. were always rather hot on enforcing their IP rights to D&D

 

[CrimsonToker]

Ohhh i didn't realize the rights were on lockdown like that.. i suppose that would make sense then... laaaame...

 

[Hadron]

It's lame that the publishers of a game get to stop others just copying it wholesale, right down to the name?

I'd say "bummer" would have been a more appropriate response

 

[mikedt]

That was the idea I've always got with D&D, any commercial products based on it, have to be licensed. Even years ago, would often read about some some D&D type things being slapped with Cease & Desists from TSR Inc.
There's a lot of fantasy roll play stuff out there but doesn't use the name Dungeons & Dragons® though, however the rules and concepts of D&D may well be subject copyrights, patents and other Intellectual Property legalese.

IANAL

Warhammer is another one, a commercial product, there's a lot of non-commercial and community stuff made for that.

EDIT:

FYI this is what any D&D rule compatible third-party apps would have to comply with.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome