JTD Typewriter №2: Our Relationship with Monotype is Changing
A Statement from us regarding Monotype’s behavior.
As of this year, all of our fonts have been pulled from all Monotype platforms. Upon learning of the exorbitant fees Monotype charges for enterprise licensing and license violations, we have decided we no longer want to be associated with a business that uses such tactics to extort its customers.
Font licensing is tricky enough for those of us who deal with it everyday. Customers who are well-intentioned shouldn’t be taken advantage of and milked for their attempts at properly licensing type; it’s bad for the industry as a whole.
We want to celebrate everyone who is willing to license one of our typefaces. We want to work with them to sort out any licensing issues they may have, now or in the future.
Monotype’s aggressive pricing and sales tactics are, in our opinion, a net-negative for both our industry and our clients. Monotype believes it can get away with milking clients because it is the biggest player in the industry. We’ve spoken to plenty of clients over the years and we’re always shocked at what Monotype charges for its fonts. Believe me when I say it’s not worth it to play their game just to have access Helvetica or Futura.
As Monotype continues to have an open call to purchase independent type foundries their behavior will only get more aggressive. The only way to stop it is to not play their game or associate with them and to treat our clients with the respect they deserve.
P.S.
I should add, I have no ill-will toward many of the Monotype employees, many of them are good friends who I have known a long time and some even attended my wedding!
Behind The Scenes:
This summer has been hot and we’ve been taking a lot of breaks to work with our newest office assistant: Chips
Enfilade should receive an update by the end of the summer and Rachel’s Sedlec (which was briefly shown in our last newsletter), should be released by the end of the year.
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