Font Copyright Discussion

Computer font is a difficult problem encountered in the proceedings. For the font definition and qualitative, there is still a huge controversial between trial results and the theoretical circles. But usually, editing a manuscript or designing the speech, all cannot do without different characteristics of fonts, even in this paper, I also use variety of font such as Song typeface and TIMES NEW ROMAN. For the phenomenon above, it is because of the close integration with the daily lives of most people and misunderstanding for the related rights, which lead the slightly chaotic situation. The first part is an overview, mainly introduces the related concepts. Primarily, it reveals the distinguishing of print, handwritten, fonts and graphic design, as well as the calligraphy font, practical art, vector font and bitmap fonts. Subsequently, the point is based on some current cases of infringement, making an induction from different ways. The second part is an analysis of the main characteristics of copyright, in combination with the font itself to conduct legal analysis, trying to clear the problems that what exactly is font--software or database, and whether it can be acted as art work or deductive work under copyright law etc. This part is the core of this paper, the innovation is not only illustrating the font originality through several design examples, but reflecting the art attribute font from the design results and the role in graphic design. The third part expounds analysis that whether the copyright of computer software can be protected from the angle of the public interest, exhaustion of right and restricted license, and how to protect the font in the existing legal framework--mainly by contract, tort litigation and the improvement of copyright registration system. The final conclusion, analyzes the necessity of protecting font and a balance of interests, along with some constructive opinions for the development of legal changes and the industry.