Web font services join fray as .webfont format gains support

At least two other services will join TypeKit in attempting to provide @font-face-compatible solutions to bring richer typography to the Web today. For tomorrow, several foundries have pledged support for a refined .webfont proposal being bandied about for adoption by the W3C.<BR><BR><a href='http://meincmagazine.com/web/news/2009/08/web-font-services-join-fray-as-webfont-format-gains-support.ars'>Read the whole story</a>

 

[Trout Mask Replica]

The thing to watch here is the per use or rent-based licensing. Currently, you buy a font and you use it as you see fit. What many of these sites are pushing for( and the foundries are certainly behind it ), is perpetual licensing payment. It's no different than all the other media and software payment models the creators of such dream about. Pretty sweet deal for something that has a one-time cost to create and then can be endlessly duplicated for $0.00, but charged for in perpetuity. I create once, you pay me over and over. <BR><BR>I bet everyone wishes they could get paid forever for last Tuesday's widget.