[comp.fonts] PostScripts use of trademarked fontnames

mark@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Mark Rowe) (04/23/88)

I was going to post this note to comp.lang.postscript.  But after reading
several of the notes regarding font name trademarks and the use thereof,
I believe this would be a more suitable group.

Let us set the stage by going back some years to some restaurant somewhere
in the U.S.  A customer comes in and orders some food and a Coke.  Sometime
later the waiter/waitress returns with the order except that a Pepsi has been
substituted for a Coke.  The customer complains that the Pepsi was not what
was ordered, Coca Cola sues, and restaurants may no longer substitute Pepsi
for Coke.

Now let us move to the near future when John Doe goes out and buys his Acme
printer with Acme-script (a PostScript clone).  John drafts a document in
the PostScript language that calls for a Times-Roman font to be used (via
/Times-Roman findfont).  This file is sent to the printer which substitutes
its own Acme-Roman for Times-Roman and prints the ensuing document.  John
is upset with the quality of the type that he assumes is Times-Roman.  The
Allied Corporation is incensed that Acme is passing off their sub-standard
fonts as Times-Roman (which they have trademarked).  Allied sues.

Anyone care to comment on the outcome of this lawsuit and its possible impact
on computer document processing?

Mark Rowe
mark@hp-pcd

Disclaimer:  PostScript, Times, Coke, and Pepsi (and in all liklihood several
other words used above) are all registered trademarks.

2nd Disclaimer:  Any resemblance between Acme-Script and an actual PostScript
clone is unintentional (but if the shoe fits ...).

3rd Disclaimer:  I expect that my company would prefer that I accept personal
responsibility for any opionions expressed above.