Segoe UI
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Segoe UI | |
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| Category | Sans-serif |
| Date created | 2004 |
| Designer(s) | Monotype; Microsoft |
| Foundry | Monotype |
| Sample | |
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Segoe UI (pronounced /si.ɡəʊ. juː.aɪ/) is a sans-serif typeface that is used in new Microsoft products for user interface text, as well as for some online user assistance material. It is easily distinguishable from its predecessor, Tahoma, by its rounder letters. Segoe UI is just one of many fonts (at least 27) using the Segoe trademark; others include an extensive range of branding print fonts [1] used internally by Microsoft and their advertising agencies, the Windows Vista handwriting fonts Segoe Script and Segoe Print, several Segoe Media Center fonts, and Segoe TV, which is built into MSNTV set-top-boxes.
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[edit] Controversy
There has been some controversy over Segoe UI's similarity to the Frutiger family of typefaces, licensed by German font foundry Linotype (as of August 2006 a wholly owned subsidiary of Monotype Imaging). In 2004, Microsoft registered certain Segoe and Segoe Italic fonts as original font designs with the European Union trademark and design office. Linotype protested, and in February 2006, the EU withdrew Microsoft's registration.[2] In its submission to the EU, Microsoft claimed that Linotype had failed to properly prove that it had been selling Frutiger and Frutiger Next prior to 2004. The EU rejected these claims. It should be noted that the EU looks at type specimens at 16 point size, in which many of the subtle differences of similar fonts are not noticeable; notwithstanding, this also prevents extremely subtle differences, which could be seen as solely for the reason of obtaining legality, from ensuring that the font gets validated.[citation needed] Microsoft did not appeal the decision.
In practice, while many of Segoe's characters are indeed very similar to those of Frutiger, they are not noticably more similar than other, less controversial Frutiger-like fonts such as Adobe's Myriad and Apple's Podium Sans. As illustrated here, many letters have very distinct forms, reflecting the fonts' different intended uses (low-resolution screen display for Segoe UI, airport signage for Frutiger). However, Ulrich Stiehl, an outspoken critic of font plagiarism (who also attacks Linotype and Adobe on his site), has claimed that many of these differences were introduced in more recent versions of the font, while earlier versions were closer to Frutiger.[3][4]
Simon Daniels, a program manager in Microsoft's typography group, quoted in a November 2005 blog entry, states "The original Segoe fonts were not created for or by Microsoft. It was an existing Monotype design which we licensed and extensively extended and customized to meet the requirements of different processes, apps and devices."[5] A Microsoft public relations spokesman, who asked not to be named, stated in April 2006 that, "Segoe was an original design developed by Agfa Monotype (now Monotype Imaging) in 2000. In 2003, we acquired the original Segoe fonts and used them to develop an extended family of fonts retaining the Segoe name. Many of these new fonts received design patent protection in the United States. Segoe was not derived from Frutiger. Microsoft also has a current up-to-date license that allows us to distribute certain Frutiger fonts in connection with Microsoft products including Office and Windows. There are distinct differences between Segoe and Frutiger. Additionally, unlike clone typefaces, the Segoe family of fonts are not metrically compatible with Frutiger so cannot be used as replacements."[6]
It is notable that typefaces can be exactly copied without breaking copyright, as in the case of many PostScript printer manufacturers.
On 1 August 2006 Monotype Imaging announced that it had acquired Linotype from its parent company. Whether or not this signals an end to this chapter in the history of the Segoe fonts remains to be seen.
[edit] Availability
The Segoe UI font family is only available as a part of the Microsoft products named above. It can be legally obtained as part of the Microsoft Office 2007 or Windows Vista.
[edit] External links
- Legal Background of the Segoe Case, an anti-Segoe perspective
- Is Microsoft's Vista Font Just a Copy?, Brian Livingston, 18 April 2006
[edit] References
- ^ The Two Faces of the Microsoft Brand (Doug Barney, July 2006)
- ^ Designs Department - Invalidity Division (06 February 2006). DECISION OF THE INVALIDITY DIVISION (pdf). Office for the Harmonization in the Internal Market. Retrieved on 2006-07-31.
- ^ Designer Says Vista Font is Original (Brian Livingston, 25 April 2006)
- ^ Segoe UI 1997-2003 vs. Segoe UI 2005 (Comparison on page 3)
- ^ Simon Daniels (November 11, 2005). I Guess No One Cares About Fonts. An Office User Interface Blog. MSDN Bogs.
- ^ Brian Livingston (April 18, 2006). Is Microsoft's Vista Font Just a Copy?. Datamation. earthweb.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-01.
