Type

I find it interesting that there seems to be this strict code of ethics on type and copyright when browsing the web, however, that sounds great on paper, but whose actually following these rules? Who even knows them?

There are tons of free font sites that feature free typefaces that are basically rip-offs of copyrighted material. We, as designers & students, are totally guilty of using dafont.com and its cousins in mimicry, but we live our lives guilt free. Are we morally bankrupt when it come to fonts?

How many of us have sent files to press via Quark or InDesign? Did you uncheck "include fonts" when you sent made the disk? For those fonts included in the package, do you own the rights to reproduce that typeface? Have you read the warning that pops up? But yea, who cares, right?

What about sending files to press as PDF? Do we own the licensing for those typefaces to embed them in a PDF and have it reproduced by a company who may or may not have the licensing too? How about publishing a PDF on the web? What rules apply there? Do we ever give a crap?

How many of us use bootlegged typefaces? Better question, how many don't?

In my experience I think the rules of licensing on type are archaic and sort of a waste. No one is paying attention to them, but that doesn't mean it doesn't matter. The fact that there is debate about using specific fonts on the web, print, etc. means that what is currently law isn't working. I'm not offering solutions, just frustration that foundries, the lawyers and the designers haven't settled this issue yet. Why is it that you can only view certain typefaces on the web? You can pick from a short-list of serif, sans serif type only? How dumb does that sound?

Hopefully the future solves this nonsense real quick, so in a couple of years we can look back and laugh about the times when you could only use Arial or Times or Verdana when designing for screen.

In the meanwhile, check out this link for some free web fonts for designers. Apparently they are totally awesome.