Letterhead Fonts / The $1000 Font


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The $1000 font

With over 130 Letterhead Fonts being downloaded from file-sharing sites everyday (see example here) , amounting to over $3,000 in potentially lost sales-- it was time to do something.

Fonts like the LHF Garner set typically require about 2-6 months to create. Drawing the letters and then spacing and kerning is tedious work. It requires years of skilled practice to do well. We receive a reward for our time and skill when you purchase the font. Letterhead Fonts was created to help artists, so we are proud when the fonts are used in good designs. But because of the extra lengths we go to in order to create these original fonts, we are also very protective of our work and our rights.

In order to reduce the cases of piracy, Letterhead Fonts began encrypting account data into the font files in early 2007. The information embedded into the font file allows us to track the font back to its original purchaser. To protect you, the information cannot be altered and can only be read by us.

Unfortunately, In January 2008 we discovered a copy of the LHF Garner set being shared freely on a public forum. This saddened us greatly. Deciphering the embedded information, we discovered the original purchaser of the LHF Garner font was sign artist Randy Howe, Account ID: 2221, purchased on 6/26/07.

We wanted to solve the problem amicably. So I personally called Randy to discuss the matter by phone and see if he could assist with removing the font from the forum. That was really all I wanted. At first, Randy was apologetic and admitted to having given the font to a design firm to do some work for him. But a few days later, it seems Randy had a change of heart and became defensive and uncooperative.

Thus far, we have been unable to get the LHF Garner fonts removed from the file sharing website-- and it has spread like wildfire. This is unfair to Duncan Wilkie who created the fonts and unfair to Letterhead Fonts. Regardless of how many people would have purchased the fonts or not, an artist's work should not be freely distributed without compensation for his time. No one should have the right to use a particular font if they didn't pay for it. Therefore, Duncan Wilkie is entitled to his rightful share of his 70% royalty from the people who downloaded the fonts he created.

As with any business, theft directly impacts the prices of goods sold. In order to compensate for time spent removing illegal copies and Duncan's lost royalties (amounting to more than $1,000), the price of LHF Garner must now increase to $39. This is an unfortunate reality of doing business in a dishonest world. We certainly hope that we do not have to raise the price of any other fonts. Letterhead Fonts wants to keep the prices affordable and within reach of all designers. After all, we would much rather spend our time making new fonts for you than chasing down cases of piracy. But keeping prices affordable will require your help.

Please don't make the same mistake Randy did. Don't share your files with any third party. This includes friends, colleagues, printers or those who might do work for you. Sharing fonts is against your Letterhead Fonts License Agreement. Furthermore, it is illegal and constitutes copyright infringement. And copyright infringement carries some pretty stiff penalties such as 5 years in prison or a $250,000 fine.

You have no control over the fonts once they are out of your hands. But since the fonts are licensed exclusively to you, only you may use them. If you hire a third party to do work for you as Randy did, they must purchase their own copies of the fonts. If you must send a file to the printer, please convert your fonts to curves or outlines before sending. Don't send the fonts.

You are responsible for the fonts licensed to you. So protect yourself and encourage us to continue making new fonts for you at affordable prices. Don't share.

Many Thanks,
--Chuck

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Also see these links for more on this issue:

http://letterheadfonts.com/news/index.shtml?a=blog&id=5

http://letterheadfonts.com/news/index.shtml?a=blog&id=29

	Who makes this stuff?
	The artists who create Letterhead Fonts are people just like you who have regular jobs in the graphic design and sign fields. This ensures that all Letterhead Fonts have a practical use. These artists earn as much as a 70% royalty for each of the fonts you buy.

	Aren't fonts meant to be shared?
	Many fonts on the internet are free. But some, like Letterhead Fonts, are not free. Letterhead Fonts are commercial software and protected by copyright laws. The main difference is in the quality and originality of the fonts. A single Letterhead Font may take weeks, months, in some cases, even a year or two to complete. When you share your Letterhead Fonts, you are stealing from the artist who spent so much time developing that font for you.

	I have witnessed someone sharing Letterhead Fonts. What can I do?
	Please contact us immediately. We appreciate and reward those who help us with cases of piracy. Your help allows us to continue our craft. You do not have to give your name or any personal information.