At 16:56 01.07.00 -0700, John M McIntosh wrote:
>I've been watching the font issue with interest. I happen to know where one
>can get a set of windows fonts that are bit identical to  Apple bitmapped
>fonts. Of course having created them 10 odd years ago helps.

Wouldn't it an alternative to either try to license Microsoft's web core 
fonts (www.microsoft.com/typography/) or to clarify the uncertainty of the 
license once and forever?

Microsoft provides free versions of Arial (sans-serif font similar to 
Helvetica), Times New Roman (serif font simiar to Times or NewYork), 
Courier New (typewriter-like monospace font with serifs), Andale Mono (nice 
sans-serif monospaced font), Trebuchet (elegant sans-serif font), Georgia 
(elegant serif font), Verdana (sans-serif), Comic Sans, Arial Black and 
Impact (both heading fonts).  All fonts contain the special characters of a 
large number of non-asian countries.

I reread the license again and I think, it might be possible to use them, 
but I'm no lawyer.  Microsoft writes

   "Anyone can download and install these fonts for their own use."

That's fine. However as they also write that one may not change the packing 
and only provide a .exe or .sit file, so only Windows and Mac users can 
install the fonts.

   "You can distribute the files from your Web site as long as you complete 
our Web font registration form. You can only redistribute the fonts in 
their original form (.exe or .sit.hqx) and with their original file name."

But actually, we don't need to include the fonts but just a number of 
bitmaps showing that fonts.  But unfortunately not in a web page but in a 
Squeak image.  Literaly, we'd fullfill the next statement

   "You must not supply the font outlines in any form that adds value to 
commercial products, such as CD-ROM or disk based multimedia programs, 
application software or utilities. See Microsoft's permissions site for 
more details."

But I'm not sure whether we also fullfill the intention.  Yes, we don't add 
the outlines.  However we use the bitmaps to add value to an open source, 
but at least possibly commercial product.  So in some way, we still use the 
fonts...

Looking at the EULA doesn't help either.  It grants the right to 
redistribute the .exe or .sit files and allows me to install an unlimited 
number of copies. it prohibits disassembling, reverse engineering, etc.  Is 
converting a font into a bitmap already reverse engineering or 
disassembling?  Then it says

   "Restrictions on Alteration. You may not rename, edit or create any 
derivative works from the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, other than subsetting when 
embedding them in documents."

Does creating a bitmap mean creating a derivative work?  I unfortunately 
think so and this is way I said that Squeak might violate the license.  We 
created that bitmap to use the font further.  Or is creating a bitmap with 
a font face in one special size of an outline font already own 
copyrightable work?

All other points are harmless IMHO.  Microsoft owns the copyright on the 
font names - no problem.  If bitmaps are own work, we could make sure that 
a strikefont is called "Tymes" or whatever.  Even NewYork should work as 
city names aren't copyrightable I think.  I'd prefer Aryl Cyr and Comyc 
however ;-)

bye
--
Stefan Matthias Aust  //  Bevor wir fallen, fallen wir lieber auf