[Pkg-fonts-devel] STIX Fonts Beta Test Version Ready for Download

[John Halton]

On 01/11/2007, Paul Wise <pabs at debian.org> wrote:
> On 11/1/07, STIX Fonts Project Group <betatest at stixfonts.org> wrote:
> Here are the licence terms from the download page. It seems to be OK
> for non-free. Clause 4 seems like it isn't a full modification clause,
> Any thoughts on it?

I'm no expert on how fonts work, but clause 4 doesn't seem to be a
million miles away from the "integrity of source code" clause in the
DFSG, in allowing modifications/additions "on top of" an unaltered
original version.

Clause 4 has a slight drafting ambiguity, however, in that a strict
reading suggests that you can *either* add or modify glyphs (while
keeping the base set of glyphs intact) *or* delete glyphs (provided
you add the required disclaimer and comply with the font name
provisions), but not both. It may be worth checking with the licensor
that they regard the licence as permitting licensees to add and modify
some glyphs (while keeping the original versions of *those* glyphs in
the set) while deleting other, unmodified glyphs.

Indeed, assuming that the licensor confirms this, is there any reason
why the licence doesn't qualify as free under the DFSG?

John

(IAAL, but TINLA)