>There is now a WOFF entry: > >- - - 8< - - - > >Question: 2.2 Can I make and use WOFF (Web Open Font Format) versions >of OFL fonts? > >Answer: Yes, but you need to be careful. A change in font format >normally is considered modification, and Reserved Font Names (RFNs) >cannot be used. Because of the design of the WOFF format, however, it >is possible to create a WOFF version that is not considered >modification, and so would not require a name change. You are allowed >to create, use and distribute a WOFF version of an OFL font without >changing the font name, but only if: > >the original font data remains unchanged except for WOFF compression, and >WOFF-specific metadata is either omitted altogether or present and >includes, unaltered, the contents of all equivalent metadata in the >original font. >If the original font data or metadata is changed, or the WOFF-specific >metadata is incomplete, the font must be considered a Modified >Version, the OFL restrictions would apply and the name of the font >must be changed: any RFNs cannot be used and copyright notices and >licensing information must be included and cannot be deleted or >modified. You must come up with a unique name - we recommend one >corresponding to your domain or your particular web application. Be >aware that only the original author(s) can use RFNs. This is to >prevent collisions between a derivative tuned to your audience and the >original upstream version and so to reduce confusion. > >Please note that most WOFF conversion tools and online services do not >meet the two requirements listed above, and so their output must be >considered a Modified Version. So be very careful and check to be sure >that the tool or service you're using is compressing unchanged data >and completely and accurately reflecting the original font metadata. > >Question: 2.3 What about other webfont formats such as EOT/EOTLite/CWT/etc.? > >Answer: In most cases these formats alter the original font data more >than WOFF, and do not completely support appropriate metadata, so >their use must be considered modification and RFNs may not be used. > >- - - 8< - - - > >Thanks to Nicolas Spalinger for all his great work on the SIL OFL :-) > >Cheers >Dave This gives me a website (and project) idea: Someone should make a website which has all the open fonts from the openfontlibrary in woff and eot and svg files (one for each individual glyph). It would be a big batch conversion project, and you would have to follow the requirements outlined for the SIL OFL fonts (but not the public domain fonts) but it would be worth doing. You should follow SIL's requirements even when working with the public domain fonts as to not create confusion or two different ways of doing the same thing. One key thing to do: Make sure the font's license is embedded in the new file in the other format. I assert that any distribution of a SIL OFL font by anyone without that license embedded in the newly converted file would be a violation of the SIL OFL, *IF* that file's format is capable of having a license entry. Likewise, The text of the Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication needs to be embedded in the converted fonts which are dedicated to the Public Domain. DO NOT distribute any without it. Eric Way
