It sounds like this should be analogous to, but not identical to, granting font embedding permissions, as one might use in a PDF document with editable form fields.

I'm not familiar with the legal intricacies to say much more than that, though.

This is actually something I have been in discussion with one of my clients. I can't go into specifics right now, since nothing is for certain. It is slightly different because it is granting a much larger online use of fonts for printing purposes.

It will be (if I get my way) an online design service that has a good selection of real fonts from reputable foundries. Any user can use the fonts and then print to the service. From the foundries I have been in discussion with there will definitely need to be a special license for such use. It is much more broad then what you are talking about Nick, but the premise is the same.

This is an especially pertinent topic due to the larger amount of online applications being developed. When Google and Microsoft start releasing online office apps, it may get real interesting. I think there is a lot of opportunity right now.

Shu

Thanks for your comments.

Jason, good point about the editable PDF form. That actually creates a conflict in my present EULA, which allows embedding in PDFs, but disallows document editing without a font licence. So I will have to address that.

Shu. If micro-payments can be implemented on a pay-per-print (pay-per-document x font(s) fee) basis, what you describe should be feasible. Or even a pay-per-time-spent-using-the-font(s) online basis.

This is very interesting. It would, I assume, become a custom EULA for the specified client and have additional fees, right?

Nick, do share the outcome with all of us.

I'd ask them if they have a limit on concurent users editing at any one time, if not ask them to estimate the maximum concurrent users, and then base your license fee on that number of "users".

Thanks Si, that's excellent advice.
And congrats on the Grey Cup!

Nick, I don't know if the following is at all applicable, but it might be relevant. Video game publishers were not making money in Asia because of rampant piracy. Then they figured out that they could give the game as a free download, but the players would have to pay on line a little bit to get the special key to open the door to the next level, the sword to slay the tiger, etc., etc. This strategy I heard is very successful. I don't know how it is set up.

Interesting idea.
The problem with micropayment, from a business perspective, is that it entails collecting, reporting, and paying of royalties, which is a hassle and an expense.
Already I am negotiating this though a distributor, rather than directly.
Perhaps I should talk to the company.