Font embedding
Font embedding refers to the ability to embed font files into a document. This has been a feature of Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word for Windows and some other applications for many years. It is controversial because it can potentially allow copyrighted fonts to be freely distributed.
Font embedding in word processors
Microsoft Word for Windows has permitted font embedding in some document formats since Word 97 (such as .doc or .rtf). This feature does not correctly work in some Word versions.[1]
OpenOffice.org supports font embedding in the PDF export feature.[2]
Font embedding in word processors is not widely supported.[3][4] For example, if an RTF file with embedded font is opened in other word processor than MS Word, it will usually remove embedded fonts.
Font embedding on the Web
Currently, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Google Chrome support font embedding.
Controversy
The controversy can be mitigated by only embedding the characters required to view the document, but this necessarily prohibits addition of previously unused characters to the document.
Because of the potential for copyright infringement, Internet Explorer only permits embedded fonts that include digital rights management (DRM) protections. The Acid3 test requires font embedding with minimal DRM protections.
References
- ^ "Embedded fonts are not displayed as expected in the documents that are saved as RTF in Word". Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ^ "API/Tutorials/PDF export". Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ^ "Embedding fonts in RTF file". 2005-04-23. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ^ "OpenOffice.org Issue - MS Interoperability: embedd fonts into the document". Retrieved 2010-03-17.
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