indra@utgpu.UUCP (07/08/87)
This is my original posting. >> >> Has anyone ever tried converting postscript fonts to laserjet II? >> I would also like to hear from people who had experience with >> cheap/pd fonts available for the lj+/lj II. > ==================== These are the replies. > >From tj Thu Jun 25 14:55:25 1987 > >The look is exactly what is either copyright or registered. Others have >fonts that look similar but are distinctly different AND they are named >differently. > >I looked at the Adobe Typeface library pamphlet > >Glypha, Helvetica, Melior, Optima, Palatino, Times and Trump are all registered >trade marks of Allied Corporation. > >They go on with a longer list of names that are registered to International >Typeface Corporation (including ITC Avante Garde, ITC Bookman, etc) > >I am quite sure that it would be infringement to take the Times font from >a LaserWriter and generate a downloadable dot matrix font for the HPLJ II. > >Actually, even better is the agreement that came with the TI Printer we have >which is PostScript. There is a License Agreement with it. > >Actually, it is very long, if you want I can copy if for you (Xerox). > >Part 1 states... >.... (a) to use the Software soley for Licensee's own internal business >purposes on the designated printer.... >(this shoots you down here) >(b) To use the digitally encoded, machine readable outline data (Fonts) provided... for the designated printer... on the designated printer... > >Like this license kills you dead. > >tj >. > > >From ai.toronto.edu!jade.berkeley.edu!UCBVAX.BERKELEY.EDU!cernvax.bitnet!cgcha.UUCP!whna Tue Jun 30 15:09:26 1987 > > >From ai.toronto.edu!decwrl.dec.com!adobe!greid Mon Jul 6 18:08:28 1987 >> Has anyone ever tried converting postscript fonts to laserjet II? >> I would also like to hear from people who had experience with >> cheap/pd fonts available for the lj+/lj II. > >Testing. > >PostScript fonts are licensed from the original type designers and >carefully adapted to PostScript outline form by a team of skilled >typographers. If you try to "convert" them into some other form, you >not only run the risk of infringing on copyright territory, but you >may well cause cancer to the letterforms themselves. At least for the >sake of the type designers, who are hard-working artists, do not try >to copy the fonts. > >You should contact Hewlett-Packard for information on fonts that are >compatible with the LaserJet II. > >Thanks for your consideration. > >Glenn Reid >Adobe Systems >PostScript Software Support > **** Conclusion : Postscript fonts are probably copyrighted. Which brings me to wonder about the following questions. What if I write a postscript emulator for HP LJ II that does the conversion on the fly? Is the postscript language copyrighted? CAN a language be copyrighted? Things like the HP-GL also come to mind. As for HP cartridge fonts, they cost, really. Very surprising considering that they are nothing but roms (or eproms). With the fact that HP LJ II is only CAN$3295, the $200-$450 price tag appears to be quite steep. After some hunting around, Weaver Graphics sells a series of soft fonts for the LJ+. They don't say that the fonts ARE Times Roman, Helvetica, Palatino, Avant Garde, etc, they simply say that they are SIMILAR to these fonts. Is it possible to copyright the way something looks? Are these guys doing something illegal? For people who are interested, Weaver Graphics can be reached at: Fox Pavilion Box 1132, Jenkintown, PA 19046 (215) 884-9286 -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In This Life : Indra Laksono Paper Mail : PO Box 575, Station P, Toronto, Ont M5S-2T1 BBS: (416)-588-8129 UUCP: {allegra,cornell,decvax,decwrl,ihnp4utzoo}!utcsri!gpu.utcs!indra
henry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer) (07/15/87)
> Postscript fonts are probably copyrighted...
Unless things have changed since I last heard, it is not possible to
copyright the shape of a font in North America. (In Europe the situation
is different.) The most one can do is trademark the name, which is why
we see so many interesting variations on the words "Times Roman".
It remains unethical to use somebody else's font shapes without paying him
a royalty (e.g. by buying a printer whose manufacturer has paid him a
royalty). It's theft, albeit of a type that North American law does not
yet recognize.
If you have signed licensing agreements in order to use the fonts in
question, you are bound by what you have signed, of course.
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