The description of SpriteFont in the documentation claims that many TrueType fonts may not be re-distributed, even in bitmap form.

Back when I did desktop publishing (late '80s, early '90s) the rule in general was that bitmap images created with fonts were OK, but the outlines were not. Specifically, if I type something in PhotoShop and then print the image, that's OK for distribution (say, putting on the web). Similarly, if I print a document using a given font, I can then distribute that document to people who did not purchase the outline font.

So, why does Microsoft take a different stance in the XNA documentation? Are you seriously suggesting that I can't distribute a paper document printed with a Microsoft font?

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Jon Watte, Direct3D MVP
kW X-port 3ds Max .X exporter
14 days after getting my RROD box back, it's going back for service again. Grr.

I think MS legal are just covering their ass and telling you to ensure the license is followed. If you find a license that says that its OK to distribute the whole font as a bitmap then you are good.

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The ZBuffer - News and information for XNA and Managed DirectX

TrueType font != Microsoft font. Microsoft licenses fonts for distribution with Windows, Office, etc. But that's beside the point.

The difference between distributing a printed document and a font in bitmap form is usage. I can't easily create a new document from a font I got from a printed document, but it's a snap with a bitmap image of the font. The folks who make the fonts don't want people turning the fonts into bitmaps and distributing them to people to use any more than they want people distributing the .ttf files for that purpose.

 

I can't easily create a new document from a font I got from a printed document, but it's a snap with a bitmap image of the font.

I can cut and paste the printed characters into a ransom note. Or I can scan it and use the characters -- which is identical to what we're doing with sprite fonts. The crucial difference is that neither sprite fonts, nor ransom notes, can be re-scaled. At least, that's the copyright that applied to fonts (without any license agreement involvement, btw) back when I was in the biz.

Is anyone aware of any font EULA that has been tested in court? Else it might be the copyright that holds, and that may allow spritefonts (but, of course, check with your own lawyer for your own situation).

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Jon Watte, Direct3D MVP
kW X-port 3ds Max .X exporter
14 days after getting my RROD box back, it's going back for service again. Grr.

I would guess this depends entirely on the font. This is very much a grey area (most font licenses weren't written with things like console games in mind!) but I certainly wouldn't assume that all fonts are automatically fair game. If you don't have your own lawyer to check over each individual license agreement, the safest option is to use one that comes with a clearly permissive license, such as the font pack in the utilities section of this site.

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XNA Framework Developer
blog - homepage

Shawn Hargreaves:

[...] the safest option is to use one that comes with a clearly permissive license, such as the font pack in the utilities section of this site.

Which are rather limited when it comes to languages with letters outside the ASCII range. There are quite a few useable OpenSource fonts out there which cover pretty much of Unicode.

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