Copy this typeface? Court ruling counsels caution

Article Abstract:

Adobe Systems's lawsuit against Southern Software may impact the US typeface market. The case reflects a years-long battle in which some software companies slightly alter fonts and then sell them at a significantly lower cost than products created by the original designers. The companies defend their practices under free expression and the free market, while original designers accuse them of stealing. US copyright protection does not extend to fonts, as courts have determined that type is utilitarian and therefore not applicable to law shielding creative expression. A change may have occurred when Judge Ronald Whyte of US District Court in San Jose ruled on one Adobe font. Whyte said protection covers Adobe's font displaying software, even if fonts themselves are not protected. Adobe derives around $40 million of its $1 billion in revenue from fonts.

Author: Thurm, Scott
Company legal issue, Adobe Systems Inc., ADBE, Copyrights, Intellectual property, Patents, Computer fonts, Font management software, Patent/copyright issue, Southern Software Inc.

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Federal Express, UPS face off on computers

Article Abstract:

Express package carriers Federal Express and United Parcel Services (UPS) are separately offering their customers free technology to enhance their shipping and mailing needs. Federal Express has managed to have client Disney Stores Inc boost its use of Federal Express express shipping services by 60 percent by offering the store the PowerShip system for storing addresses and shipping data. UPS, meanwhile, is offering its customers a system that accomplishes similar tasks, called the MaxiShip. The free computer system offerings are intended to reduce clients' tendency for comparison shopping when deciding on carriers. A number of clients complain that the free systems in fact contain hidden costs, and offer only limited practical features.

Author: Grossman, Laurie M.
Air courier services, Courier services, except by air, Local trucking, without storage, Telecommunications systems, Customer service, Courier services, Express delivery services, United Parcel Service of America Inc., FedEx Express, FDX, Marketing Strategy

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KnowledgeWare is targeted in suit by 6 shareholders

Article Abstract:

KnowledgeWare Inc, with a stock priced closed at $12.25 a share on Oct 2, 1991, after reaching a high of $43 a share during the year, is the target of law suits from six shareholders who suggest the computer software company misled them and inflated the value of its stock. The fall of the stock was due in part to a report that the company would take a loss for the quarter ending Sep 30, 1991. The loss will be the first in the company's history, which began when it went public in 1989. The stock was selling for $29 a share in early Sep 1991 and fell to $23.75 a share after it was announced that Pres Terry McGowan and CFO Donald Ellis would resign.

Author: Grossman, Laurie M.
Price fixing, Stockholder, Lawsuits, Computer Software Industry, Stock, KnowledgeWare Inc., KNOW

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Subjects list: Computer software industry, Software industry, Cases
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