Understanding the Terms of the Open Font License (OFL)

The Open Font License (OFL) is a type of license that governs the use and distribution of font software. As a designer, engineer, or programmer working with fonts, it's essential to understand the terms of this license to ensure compliance.

In this article, we'll break down the key definitions and requirements outlined in the SIL Open Font License Version 1.1.

The OFL defines several key terms that are crucial for understanding the scope and limitations of the license:

* Author: Any person who contributed to the Font Software.

* Modified Version: A derivative made by modifying, adding to, or substituting parts of the Original Version.

* Original Version: The collection of Font Software components distributed by the Copyright Holder(s).

* Reserved Font Name: Names specified as such after the copyright statement(s), which may include source files, build scripts, and documentation.

* Font Software: The set of files released under this license and clearly marked as such.

Requirements

The OFL has several requirements that must be met:

* The requirement for fonts to remain under this license does not apply to any document created using the fonts or their derivatives. However, the fonts themselves cannot be released under any other type of license.

* Fonts, including derivative works, can be bundled, embedded, redistributed, and/or sold with any software provided that reserved names are not used by derivative works.

Goals of the Open Font License

The OFL aims to stimulate worldwide development of collaborative font projects, support font creation efforts of academic and linguistic communities, and provide a free and open framework for sharing and improving fonts in partnership with others.

In summary, understanding the terms of the Open Font License is essential for designers, engineers, programmers, and technical writers working with font software. By familiarizing yourself with these key definitions and requirements, you can ensure compliance and contribute to the development of collaborative font projects.

For more information on the SIL Open Font License, visit .

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