a basic question

Many fonts already exist which are commonly
distributed and used in TTF/OTF and which are
permissively licensed.   Anyone who uses a GNU/Linux
system is likely to be in possession of some
of these, for example.

These fonts work on the web with all but one
browser.  They work with all popular desktops.
Users copying them to and fro are, generally 
speaking, breaking no license terms.  Rather, they
are using the fonts as the publishers of those
fonts intended.

Many fonts exist which are commonly distributed
and used in TTF/OTF but with restricted licenses.
They also inter-operate in all the same ways
but their presence on the web, in most instances,
is not authorized by their license.

Major suppliers of those restricted license
fonts have appealed to the standards community
for a new format.  They wish to permit certain uses
of their fonts, on the web, in this new format while
continuing to forbid other uses including any use
on the web in TTF/OTF.

Let us stipulate that those suppliers have offered
a compelling rationale for a new format.

What is the rationale against a "TTF/OTF plus ____ format"
proposal?  That would allow the providers of restricted
license fonts to continue to withhold permission to 
use their fonts on the web in TTF/OTF.  It would also
serve well the providers and users of permissively 
licensed fonts, as well as the makers of software that
process font files.


-t

Received on Monday, 6 July 2009 20:01:30 UTC