MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Font plagiarism  (Read 4568 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

JoEr

« on: October 09, 2012, 05:37 »
0
When looking around for a nice script font I found two that seems to be exactly the same, called "Ballpark Weiner" and "Falkner". Ballpark Weiner is freeware and Falkner costs 50USD.

Then I found that there's a third one, called "Kestrel", that seems to be the original and was made in the 80's by font designer Alan Meeks. In the description text of "Falkner" at Myfonts.com the creator writes "Based on Alan Meeks Kestrel font, Falkner Pro is a sophisticated multilingual revival covering most major European languages written in Latin or Cyrillic letters".

How can this be ok? Does the copyright work differently when it comes to fonts? Can I just copy any font and start selling it with a new name? Seems a bit weird to me.


« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2012, 05:51 »
0
http://www.typeright.org/ethicsguide.html#IIIB
The "Revival" part applies here, I think.
You MUST draw the font yourself to sell it legally. To rename a font and/or make some changes and sell it as an own design is unethical and illegal!

Here's a great resource for all font-related stuff': http://www.typophile.com/
« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 06:01 by Perry »

Reef

  • website ready 2026 :)
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2012, 06:04 »
0
Not sure but it could be an old Letraset font that has been digitised! 

EDIT: Ah, posted before I saw Perry's revival link. That could be the answer.

« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 06:07 by Reef »

Microbius

« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2012, 06:07 »
0
Ballpark Weiner is used by so many of the copycat label sets on all the stock sites, if it isn't legal this is going to have big implications: there's going be a lot of best selling vector design elements taken down

ETA is it this one?:
http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/Ballpark

if so here are the legals from the author
"These are the rules!

This font is free, but...

This is a recreation of a font I couldn't find in digital format. Don't put it on a CD or website or resell it in anyway without first contacting me ([email protected]). If you want a friend to have it, send them a link to it (www.subflux.com/fonts.htm).

If you designed this font originally and are upset that I have the temerity to give away my version, send me an email, we can work it out (www.subflux.com/fonts.htm).

If you use this font, send me a link or JPG of the font in action, I love to see my babies at work. ([email protected])

Oh, and this font is offered as is, it may missing letters or stuff and if it blows up your machine don't blame me it isn't my fault.

Thanks for fonting,
MickeyRossi"



ETA yes looks like it is the same one, as the author has the same name, discussed here:
http://www.dafont.com/font-comment.php?file=ballpark_weiner
« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 06:14 by Microbius »

JoEr

« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2012, 07:09 »
0
Alan Meeks (still very much alive) created the Kestrel font in the 80's so the copyright can't have expired. The Kestrel font can be bought at alanmeeks.com or at fonts.com. This means that the "free" Ballpark Weiner that many vector artists use is probably illegal. And Falkner Pro is probably illegal too.

Unless Alan Meeks gave these people permission of course... or of he copied some other font when creating Kestrel. ;)
The whole font business seems to be one big stealing orgy.

Microbius

« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2012, 09:12 »
0
I'm just struggling to try and find a decent free Western style font at the moment. Several show up as free on font sites but I wouldn't use one without knowing who the actual creator is and that they have okayed it. It is a nightmare!

« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2012, 10:55 »
0
What do you mean by "western style"? Real looking wood type? Modern day interpretation? Rough or clean?
« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 11:01 by Perry »


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
font rules

Started by alias iStockPhoto.com

6 Replies
4829 Views
Last post June 22, 2009, 15:44
by bittersweet
10 Replies
6287 Views
Last post May 29, 2011, 21:40
by vireakchandara
130 Replies
34022 Views
Last post March 15, 2012, 04:34
by BaldricksTrousers
4 Replies
3772 Views
Last post June 24, 2012, 09:52
by Microbius
13 Replies
2902 Views
Last post September 11, 2023, 06:47
by gnirtS

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors