Fact check: Is the Kinder race from the Dragon Lance setting copyrighted?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, yes, the Kender race from the Dragonlance setting is copyrighted. While none of the sources explicitly state that the Kender race itself is copyrighted, the evidence strongly supports this conclusion through ownership of the broader Dragonlance intellectual property.

Wizards of the Coast owns the rights to the Dragonlance franchise, which includes the Kender race ^[1]. This ownership was established when Wizards of the Coast acquired the rights to the setting as part of its purchase of TSR, the original publisher of Dungeons & Dragons ^[2]. The ongoing lawsuit between Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and Wizards of the Coast further demonstrates that WotC has ownership and control over the Dragonlance setting, including its characters and races ^{[3] [4]}.

The analyses consistently indicate that the Dragonlance setting and its components, including the Kender race, are under the ownership of Wizards of the Coast ^{[5] [6]}. This corporate ownership structure means that the Kender race, as an integral part of the Dragonlance intellectual property, falls under copyright protection.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the complex history of Dragonlance ownership and licensing. The analyses reveal that there has been significant legal dispute over Dragonlance rights, with the original creators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman involved in litigation against Wizards of the Coast ^{[3] [4]}.

Missing context includes:

• The Open Game License (OGL) discussions that have impacted the broader D&D community and intellectual property landscape ^{[7] [8]}
• The historical acquisition of TSR by Wizards of the Coast, which transferred ownership of many classic D&D properties including Dragonlance ^[2]
• The ongoing legal complexities between original creators and current corporate owners ^{[1] [3]}

Wizards of the Coast benefits significantly from maintaining strict copyright control over popular fantasy races like the Kender, as this protects their valuable intellectual property portfolio and prevents unauthorized commercial use by competitors or independent creators.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, but it oversimplifies a complex intellectual property situation. The question treats copyright as a simple yes/no matter when the reality involves:

• Layered ownership structures between corporate entities and original creators
• Ongoing legal disputes that may affect the clarity of ownership rights ^{[3] [4]}
• Licensing complexities related to the Open Game License and other D&D intellectual property frameworks ^{[7] [8]}

The question also uses "Dragon Lance" (two words) rather than the correct "Dragonlance" (one word), though this appears to be a minor spelling variation rather than intentional misinformation.

The analyses suggest that while the copyright question has a clear answer, the underlying ownership and licensing situation is more nuanced than a simple copyright inquiry might suggest, involving corporate acquisitions, creator disputes, and evolving licensing frameworks in the tabletop gaming industry.