MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - You Wouldn’t Think It, But Typeface Piracy Is a Big Problem

GrannyGrump · 11-03-2015, 02:53 AM

Re: Distribution of fonts ---
This can be a very frustrating thing when you upload ebooks.

Many wonderful fonts were created or digitally-reproduced in the 1990's, when the consideration of re-distribution was only for "font-collection cds" (very occasionally those have readme files stating not to distribute For Sale --- I don't know for sure how to extrapolate that into free ebook embedding.)

Many freeware creators only mark their fonts "copyright 1995 Joe Blow", with no indication of licensing at all.

Very often, freeware fonts don't even have a declared copyright, only that they were created with "program such and so" (I have a nasty mind, and tend to think those were pirated and offered for download illegally.)

Thank heaven for Google Fonts and the Open Font Library at fontlibrary.org and for Font Squirrel (though Font Squirrel fonts need some judicious examination to be certain of end-user rights). The SIL Open Font License is a wonderful thing, and so many beautiful fonts are available under that license--- but sometimes you want a novelty or specialty font, and can't find quite the right one...

11-03-2015, 02:53 AM	#18
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,231 Karma: 35158061 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Re: Distribution of fonts --- This can be a very frustrating thing when you upload ebooks. Many wonderful fonts were created or digitally-reproduced in the 1990's, when the consideration of re-distribution was only for "font-collection cds" (very occasionally those have readme files stating not to distribute For Sale --- I don't know for sure how to extrapolate that into free ebook embedding.) Many freeware creators only mark their fonts "copyright 1995 Joe Blow", with no indication of licensing at all. Very often, freeware fonts don't even have a declared copyright, only that they were created with "program such and so" (I have a nasty mind, and tend to think those were pirated and offered for download illegally.) Thank heaven for Google Fonts and the Open Font Library at fontlibrary.org and for Font Squirrel (though Font Squirrel fonts need some judicious examination to be certain of end-user rights). The SIL Open Font License is a wonderful thing, and so many beautiful fonts are available under that license--- but sometimes you want a novelty or specialty font, and can't find quite the right one... Last edited by GrannyGrump; 11-03-2015 at 03:30 AM.