Re: Review needed: Gentium font re-released under the SIL Open Font License
The SIL Open Font License[0], version 1.0 states:
[PREAMBLE]
"The OFL allows the licensed fonts to be used, studied, modified and
redistributed freely as long as they are not sold by themselves."
[CONDITION1]
"1) Neither the Font Software nor any of its individual components, in
Standard or Modified Versions, may be sold by itself."
The License FAQ[1] on their website states the following (not legally
binding, but just additional information):
[QUESTION1.6]
"Question: 1.6 Can I include the fonts on a CD of freeware or
commercial fonts?
Answer: Yes, as long some other font or software is also on the disk, so
the OFL font is not sold by itself."
[QUESTION1.8]
"Question: 1.8 Why won't the OFL let me sell the fonts alone?
Answer: The intent is to keep people from making money by simply
redistributing the fonts. The only people who ought to profit directly
from the fonts should be the original authors, and those authors have
kindly given up potential income to distribute their fonts under the
OFL. Please honor and respect their contribution!"
Summary
-------
The license is clearly non-free as it violates DFSG 1 and 6: Commercial
redistribution of the font alone is not allowed.
Guerkan, the maintainer of the ttf-gentium package, is already aware of
the license change. However, the package needs to remain in non-free
because of the said issues above. Nevertheless, he will update the
package soon to the new license.
Regards,
Daniel
[0] http://scripts.sil.org/OFL_web
[1] http://scripts.sil.org/OFL-FAQ_web
--
Address: Daniel Baumann, Burgunderstrasse 3, CH-4562 Biberist
Email: daniel.baumann@panthera-systems.net
Internet: http://people.panthera-systems.net/~daniel-baumann/
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