Re: Font copyright infringement?

> John Jotted;
> The deal, oddly enough, depends on the kind of font.  *Bitmap* fonts,
> like physical fonts (y'know, little pieces of metal), are not subject
> to legal protection of any sort.  *Outline* fonts like TrueType, Postscript
> Type 1, etc. are considered computer programs and are subject to copyright
> like any textual work.
Barbara Babbles;
Bitmap fonts and metal/linotype fonts do enjoy legal protection - it's
called a "patent". I know this as I've patented fonts in the
pre-computer days. To all intents and for all practical purposes this
has the same restictions on copying and plagerism as copyright. With a
patent a "typeface" is patented, so all fonts derived from it that could
be said to be members of the same "typeface" familly are also covered by
the original patent.
Barbara