Wisdom Script clone: is this OK?

[Queneau]

This topic was imported from the Typophile platform

This font has just been offered on MyFonts. Now I like their Veneer typeface, but you can't tell me, this is not a plain rip-off of Wisdom Script...

I don't think this is OK, what do you think? And what should I, or MyFonts, do about it?

[Queneau]

Or to add to the original question, why do they not credit Wisdom Script? And did or did they not ask permission?

[hrant]

Is Wisdom Script an original design? Maybe they were both mined from the same earlier derelict source.

Related: https://typography.guru/forums/topic/66010-forwarding

hhp

[Queneau]

That is a good question, indeed, though neither description is open about it. So if anyone knows their common source?

[HVB]

Wisdom Script contains no copyright information, only the fact that it was created using FontLab.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time that someone took a free font, POSSIBLY re-drew it, renamed it, and started to sell it commercially.

[George Thomas]

Apparently it has caught the eye of a lot of people. Here are the Public Tags from myfonts:
=============================
Tags:
public tags: black, BLATANT RIPOFF, bold, clean, COPY OF JAMES EDMONDSONS WISDOM SCRIPT, cursive, elegant, fancy, fashion, fun, funky, James Edmondson original designer, light, modern, retro, script, thin, vintage, Want, Wisdom Script COPY, wisdom script ripoff
=============================

I sent an email to James asking if he would like to comment on it here.

[oldnick]

Neither font credits an earlier source or inspiration, which is—unfortunately—not uncommon. On the other hand, some folks are forthcoming about their muses...

http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/sudtipos/mousse-script/
http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/nicksfonts/glengary-nf/

Neither of the fonts referenced above is a rip-off of the other, and both are reasonably faithful to the original design—although I did take issue with the original design of /p and /x, and finagled accordingly.

Taggers don’t always have their facts straight, either. I've gotten angry comments from some folks who accused me of ripping off this typeface with my Anagram NF; however, if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can plainly see that these folks are putting the cart before the horse...

[hrant]

If Wisdom Script is not itself derived from another source then you should have no trouble getting Thirsty Script removed from MyFonts (although it would certainly help your case if Wisdom were on MyFonts). We saw that sort of thing happen recently (in fact due to "activism" here on Typophile).

However, since Thirsty is -by your own gracious admission- an improvement on Wisdom there might be another way to both reward at least that part of the effort, and acquire proceeds that you're entitled to: get Yellow to pass along maybe 50% of the sales. BTW if such an amicable resolution does work out make sure it becomes public information (although the percentage can remain private).

Speaking of things like karma, even if you might not care too much about the money (as indicated by your Honorware* sales model) there's one very good reason to not let this slide: promoting ethical behavior in type design as a whole.

* https://typography.guru/forums/topic/20206-forwarding

hhp

[jamestedmondson]

Hi guys, thanks for the thoughtful discussion around this topic.

It's true, I'm working on putting more information out there about the design and process behind each of my fonts, and Wisdom Script was my first release.

I am a little bit unsure of what action to take (if any) on this typeface. I emailed the designer a bit, and he admits that Wisdom Script was the primary inspiration. It's obvious to me that he just set out to improve upon my design. Which he did, I admit that.

I wasn't referencing anything in particular when i was drawing it, I just wanted it to work well on an incline, and because I was cutting all the shapes out of balsa wood with an exacto knife, the sides of each lowercase letter were straight (it's easier to cut straight, going with the grain of the wood, than to cut a curve). The capitals in Wisdom are a sort of geometric interpretation of my handwriting, which is influenced by any number of different typefaces, lettering styles, signs, and logos.

Most of the letters in Thirsty Script are rooted in Wisdom's design. I've heard that if more than 30% of a piece of work is referencing another work, then that is stealing. About 75% of Thirsty Script seems to reference Wisdom, if I were to make a wild guess.

He did not credit Wisdom at all, or ask for permission. Is it worth the effort/ bad karma to go after Thirsty? Or is it actually good karma because I'm taking a stand for my work? These are questions that I have not made up my mind about. Any opinions you guys have to offer would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks again for posting this. It's an honor to be part of a community that values creativity, and artists' rights.

[jamestedmondson]

Well said hrant. Promoting ethical behavior in type design as a whole is of highest importance to me in this situation. Thank you for commenting.

[Queneau]

Thanks James for commenting

I certainly think that the least you should get is a percentage, and otherwise have it taken down. And you should also demand to be credited for the design. IMHO the work done on the design might make it better (language support, complete character set) but the design is very much yours. The weights are automatically interpolated, without much optical refinement, so there is not much original design in there. I don't think it is kosher to go about this way by Yellow, making money with your design.

Even if the design is improved, there are still other ways to do this, for instance Roger Nelsson has Cheap Pro Fonts (hate the name...but still) which creates improved and expanded versions of free fonts (I know yours is not free in this sense), but always does so with permission, with all credit to the original designer, under the original name (I don't know if the designers get a percentage, but others here should be able to provide info on this, (Oldnick?))

I hope there is a way to resolve this without removing Thirsty, it's up to you, but I think you should at least take action, even if only for ethical reasons...

[PabloImpallari]

James:
Since there are money involved, the best thing you can do is to contact a lawyer and ask for legal advise.

Frank Martinez
http://www.martinezgroup.com/

Matthew Butterick
http://www.buttericklaw.com/

[oldnick]

James,

(I don't know if the designers get a percentage, but others here should be able to provide info on this, (Oldnick?))

Roger splits the proceeds fifty/fifty, which is eminently fair and an additional—if relatively small—revenue stream I would not otherwise have.

As to the design dispute: MyFonts.com usually acts on complaints about design infringement, no questions asked. The gentlemanly thing to do would be to try to resolve the problem with Yellow Design before lodging a complaint; if he/she/they are cooperative, you may be able to devise a win-win scenario. If you meet resistance, then you can ask MyFonts to pull the plug.

[hrant]

What Nick said - with lawyers to me being a foul-tasting last-resort (even though I think Frank is a good guy, and deeply experienced).

hhp

[PabloImpallari]

@Nick/Hrant:
Even if they solve the issue in a friendly way, they will need some sort of contract. Asking for legal advice is not only for litigation.

[daverowland]

Looks like it's been sorted now http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/yellow-design/thirsty-script/
Wonder what arrangement they came to...

[hrant]

If people have to wonder, most will wonder something bad.

hhp

[Queneau]

That is even less useful a description as before, still no clear credit where credits due, weak, very weak....

[jamestedmondson]

I've emailed the designer of Thirst Script two days ago to talk about profit sharing. Unsurprisingly, he has not gotten back to me, so I'm now asking Myfonts if it's okay to take it down. I see its #19 in Hot New Fonts right now.

[hrant]

After they remove it (I hope) MyFonts should pass along their cut of the profits to you.

hhp

[PabloImpallari]

James, once again:
Contact Frank Martinez and let him handle it for you.

[Queneau]

The font seems to have been pulled from MyFonts, which is a good thing, I think. I also hope that James has been compensated for.

[jtaklob1982]

Thanks for clearing things out.

John

[fontspring]

For what it is worth, James Edmondson worked out a deal with Yellow and asked us to continue selling the font. I don't know the details, but they did come to an agreement. FYI.

[hrant]

Good news.

hhp