Hello Mark, Mark H Weaver <m...@netris.org> skribis:
> l...@gnu.org (Ludovic Courtès) writes: [...] >> I don’t have a clear opinion on ‘font-awesome’ yet, but I have some >> comments: (1) only some of our font packages are built from source >> (though I think we should do more of that), (2) the font might be >> considered “non-functional data” rather than software under the FSDG, > > The GNU FSDG states: > > License Rules > > “Information for practical use” includes software, documentation, > fonts, and other data that has direct functional applications. It > does not include artistic works that have an aesthetic (rather than > functional) purpose, or statements of opinion or judgment. > > All information for practical use in a free distribution must be > available in source form. (“Source” means the form of the > information that is preferred for making changes to it.) > > I think it's reasonably clear that the first paragraph above refers to > the distinction between functional and non-functional data, and it > specifically lists "fonts" as an example of the first category. It also > associates the terms "functional" and "for practical use" with "fonts". Indeed, I had overlooked this paragraph. I agree with your interpretation. > The section on "Non-functional Data" begins with: > > Data that isn't functional, that doesn't do a practical job, is more > of an adornment to the system's software than a part of it. [...] > > Note the two terms "functional", and "does a practical job" which > essentially means the same thing as "for practical use". These two > terms are specifically associated with "fonts" above, and are > contraindicators for "Non-functional Data". Yes, though when I read this part, I thought to myself that non-essential fonts could be regarded as an adornment to the system. (My understanding is also that game artwork is often viewed as non-functional data under the FSDG, even though I’d personally consider that it “does a practical job”, much more than an optional font.) Anyway the “License Rules” paragraph above makes it clear, I think, that fonts may not be treated as non-functional data. Thanks for clarifying! Ludo’.
