Is IM Fell free?

[Hans de Goede]

Hi,

On 06/21/2010 05:36 AM, J.B. Nicholson-Owens wrote:
> Hans de Goede wrote:
>> I noticed Google has recently launched its google font directory. As part of
>> this they have negotiated the opening up of various previous not completely
>> open fonts. Here a list of fonts which we have not yet packaged, and which
>> are not on the wishlist either:
>>
>> [...]
>>
>> IM Fell by Igino Marini (10 families)
>> http://code.google.com/p/googlefontdirectory/source/browse/felltypes
>> Digitization of various 17th century fonts
>
> Are the IM Fell fonts free software?
>
> When I look at the Google font pages for IM Fell fonts each page says
> that face is licensed under SIL Open Font License, 1.1 which is a free
> software license.
>
> But when I look at the homepage for IM Fell:
>
>      http://iginomarini.com/fell/the-revival-fonts/
>
> I see the following license:
>
>> LICENSE
>>
>> This font is a nearly free font. You can use it freely but:
>>
>> 1. If you want to use it in publications on any kind of media you
>> have to put in the following quote as a note: «The Fell Types are
>> digitally reproduced by Igino Marini. www.iginomarini.com» and let
>> the designer know where you used it.
>>
>> 2. You can’t change the font and its contents (including outlines,
>> kerning and other data as well).
>>
>> 3. You can distribute it freely with license aside but not sell it in
>> any way. Any other different use has to be authorized by the
>> designer.
>
> Which strikes me as clearly non-free (usage notification in clause 1,
> immutability in clause 2, and prohibition of commercial distribution in
> clause 3 are all non-free).
>
> As best as I can tell the licensing situation is: IM Fell fonts as
> distributed by Google's font directory are free, licensed under SIL Open
> Font License, 1.1.  The same fonts as distributed by Igino Marini are
> not free.
>
> Is this your understanding as well?
>

Yes that is correct. I've had contact with google about this to verify. and
in cases where google has only ttf and upstream has for example otf I've asked
google to also make the otf versions available under the OFL if they can.

Regards,

Hans