Segeo UI Font

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Mike Wilson - 01 Jan 2006 22:50 GMT

Hi,

Does anyone know the detail of whether it is permissable to distribute the
Segeo UI font (as found in the Windows Vista CTP's)? I am trying to follow
the Windows Vista design guidelines and unless the application is deployed
solely to Windows Vista platforms, the Segeo UI fonts will need to be
distributed with the application installer.

A bad idea perhaps, but where is the license for this font?

Many Thanks!

Mike

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Tom Ferguson - 02 Jan 2006 08:21 GMT

I am not a lawyer. For advice or information upon which you intend to
rely, consult a lawyer.

Microsoft licenses certain fonts for distribution with various of its
software. Copyright, trademark and other protections are held by the
supplier. (e.g. Agfa Monotype) Other fonts are commissioned. Microsoft has
made arrangements to distribute many of these through Ascender
Corporatoion. Arrangements concerning those should be made with Microsoft
Legal directly or through Ascender.

Microsoft Legal can be contacted by phone. There is a toll-free number for
Microsoft Corporate, North America obtainable from 1 800 555 1212.

http://www.ascendercorp.com/
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/permission/default.mspx

I believe Segeo was a commissioned font. The font files bear Microsoft
copyright and the name is a Trademark of Microsoft.

One thing is certain, if you have a license to use the software with which
the font is distributed, you have the right to use the font. However, you
do not have the right to distribute the font files.

Tom
MSMVP
Windows Shell/User

: Hi,
:
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
:
: Mike

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Mike Wilson - 02 Jan 2006 11:34 GMT

> One thing is certain, if you have a license to use the software with which
> the font is distributed, you have the right to use the font. However, you
> do not have the right to distribute the font files.

Hi Tom,

Many thanks for the superb information. I'm pretty sure of the above,
however what are application developers to do, if one wishes to follow the
Windows Vista design guidelines? Simply wait until the Windows XP userbase
is < 1% ?

Regards,

Mike

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Character - 02 Jan 2006 14:19 GMT

> Hi Tom,

> ... what are application developers to do, if one wishes to follow the
> Windows Vista design guidelines? Simply wait until the Windows XP userbase
> is < 1% ?

Tom gave you a precise and accurate answer to your question when he said,

"Arrangements concerning those should be made with Microsoft
Legal directly or through Ascender."

Microsoft makes such arrangements routinely with application developers. I'm not
sure that their legal department would be the place to start, though. They have
an application development network.

- Character

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Jay Freedman - 02 Jan 2006 16:12 GMT

>> One thing is certain, if you have a license to use the software with which
>> the font is distributed, you have the right to use the font. However, you
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>Mike

Hi Mike,

Jensen Harris in his blog at
http://blogs.msdn.com/jensenh/archive/2005/11/28/497441.aspx quotes
Simon Daniels, lead fonts program manager for Microsoft Typography, on
Segoe UI:

"Segoe UI is a four member typeface family included with Windows Vista
and Office 12 for User Interface use. Its used widely by Windows
Vista components but can also be specified by third party apps running
on Windows Vista that may wish to take advantage of it in order to
have the Windows Vista look and feel. Efforts are underway to enable
third party apps running on Windows XP to access the fonts too."

What I guess from this is that *at the time O12 and/or Vista is
released* -- but not before that -- any licensed user of Windows XP
will be able to download Segoe UI from the Microsoft site. I doubt it
will ever be legal to redistribute it as part of your package, but
you'll have to check the legalese in the Vista EULA to be sure.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the
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Tom Ferguson - 02 Jan 2006 20:57 GMT

Not too long ago, Microsoft moved to remove certain font packages from
distribution through various Internet channels. As part of that action
stream, most packages were removed from download access. Various Internet
sites which had them available for download were sent legal notice to
remove them. Some sites still have distribution rights through previous
permissions.

I recall it was stated that plans were being formulated then to develop
ways and means for restoring certain of these packages to distribution
once a mecahnism could be developed that would permit access only to those
with legal rights/permission.

It would seem that time is approaching. Note that a "validation" tool has
been in testing for some Windows and Office file updates. It is my guess
(and it is no more than that) that MS will soon be giving that validation
tool greater scope and it will form part of the mechanism for making MS
font packages available once again.

Tom

MSMVP
Windows Shell/User

: >> One thing is certain, if you have a license to use the software with which
: >> the font is distributed, you have the right to use the font. However, you
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
: Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the
: newsgroup so all may benefit.

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