I have recently learned that it is no longer allowed to share designs created using the Embroidery Fonts Plus software so I've been thinking of buying the Embird Font Engine. However, I discovered that most TTF fonts have a clause in the licence which prohibits their use commercially.So, I've been doing a lot of research into so called "free fonts".

its all so complicated :-(

The more I learn. the less I want to do. Thanks, Sue.

What is "SIL OFL"? I'm unfamiliar with those abbreviations.

1 comment

by spendlove 06 Jan 2014

Open font license. SIL international is a linguistics organisation.

Thanks Sue...very interesting info!!! ;D

Sue, I see you have been using EFP to digitize. I installed this programme when I purchased The Amazing Box Software (It came with the Amazing Box) in 2005 and to date have not been able to get it working properly. I cannot save any wording and only have the choice of 3 built-in Fonts. I do not use this Box any more as I now have PE Design 7. Should I download it again. Can you offer any advise.
Many thanks, Debbie

2 comments

by spendlove 14 Nov 2013

The software comes with three fonts and an excellent tutorial for how to use it. Extra fonts have to be purchased. I found it very easy to use. I started by following the tutorial step by step and using it a lot so it became easy. If it wasn't for this new information about sharing and selling designs, I would be happy to keep using it. I now have the font engine and in many ways, I find EFP easier to use.

by debswebster 14 Nov 2013

Thanks for your input Sue. I think I will have to put more effort into learning it. I presume you get the tutorial on the net somewhere...I always thought it did not save etc because it was a free "look-see" programme and not the full package.

I'm still a little confused. Does this mean you can't take just any font and digitize it? In Font Engine, I've found that you need to tweak a few things sometimes to get a good stitchout.

1 comment

by spendlove 13 Nov 2013

You can take any font and digitise it for you own personal use. This may also include embroidered items for sale. If you want to share or sell the designs, you need to check the license.

So, if a font says it is licensed as OFL or Apache..than it can be used in a digitized file and the digitized file can be sold or given away...is that correct? Also if the font is in the Public Domain...that is okay too?

2 comments

by spendlove 13 Nov 2013

All fonts you download will have a license included. You need to read every one! OFL or Apache are fine for sharing or sale. I'm not sure about "public domain" - it is as well to check individually.

by dragonflyer 13 Nov 2013

Thanks, Sue...there is a website that has almost all of it's fonts as OFL or Apache licensed..that's a good thing!

All so complicated. Thank you Sue for your hard work and explanations. I gave up with EFP and have even taken it off my PC. I now just buy the odd font when I 'think' I need a new one :) Sarah.

I have always wondered about all the fonts that so many sites sell. Some are renamed but you can recognize them as free ttf. I am unclear about the usage. Can items made be sold as long as the font itself is not sold? I don't sell so I usually don't worry about these things. I know many sell at small sales especially this time of the year.

Linda V

woe Sue you have been to a lot of trouble. Thank you for sharing you findings with us, there is some fantastic fonts here.
Hugs Pam.

Good Lord..... now I'll have to figure out how to make my own type fonts???? Thanks Sue!!

4 comments

by dollygk 13 Nov 2013

I think I've found some fonts for us
http://tulrich.com/fonts/

"I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide.

In case this is not legally possible,

I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law."

Sound good??

by dollygk 13 Nov 2013

OK so it's only one font called Tuffy but the license is very clear.

"This font, including hint instructions, has been donated to the public domain. Do whatever you want with it."

At least we have this one!

by spendlove 13 Nov 2013

I wish all licenses were as clear as this one!

by highlandermom 13 Nov 2013

I agree as to wishing all were this clear.

WOW THIS IS REALLY COMPLICATED STUFF! Thanks for the info Sue, what is a troll? I am not sure I get any of this either? What is a GBP licence?

4 comments

by rescuer edited 12 Nov 2013

A troll is someone who makes negative comments because they like to start trouble.
GBP is money per font.

by highlandermom 13 Nov 2013

Thanks for asking Loralye...... Bless you rescuer for updating us that do not know.

by pldc 13 Nov 2013

OK TROLLS ARE VERY BAD & GBP is ok! Thanks for the update too LOL.

by jorjeen 05 Jan 2014

it's good to know that they have zero tolerance for a troll! I won't even post in most forums because of these so-called trolls! I was selling from a store, and had to even change the name of my store-- these people were ready to slit my throat! This is one of the very forums I will even post to because of it!

Even art you purchase has limitations as to the use. I think this is one of the things Sue has discovered. Even when you purchase art or in this case fonts, you are limited as to how you can use them.
As for the reasons for the DBC it was not the lack of a license but the failure to use licensed art according to the limitations of the license. In other words, you may acquire (even purchase) art legally but you may be limited as to when, how, where, and even if you can display it or (in the case of the fonts Sue is researching) alter it in any way.

1 comment

by AuntAnnie 12 Nov 2013

Thank you for clarifying what I was attempting to convey.

Excellent investigating, Sue. Your research should help digitizers realize the need to be aware of the possibility of a license required to digitize free art (which is one reason 'Designs by Cuties' is down for maintenance).

I think I need to see the earlier post as I do not know what ith SIl OFL is. I may have need for this information. Thanks Sue.

1 comment

by spendlove 12 Nov 2013

OFL is open font licence.
Quote from a licence:
"This Font Software is licensed under the SIL Open Font License, Version 1.1."

Thank you Sue sooooo much!

Thank you Sue for looking into all of this. This stuff is so complicated!