In a case that has potentially far reaching implications (always wanted to use that phrase – far reaching implications),”some software companies” have filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court challenging its use of the Nudi software font for egovernance purposes. The Government claims that the software is free and the ” best among the softwares available.”. The Companies on the other hand allege that there is no “scientific basis for the State to prefer Nudi over other compatible softwares” and insist that the Government “prescribe uniform standards for bilingual fonts for developing software in Kannada”.
Is there a scientific basis to prefer free software over proprietary alternatives? Hm.
After some scouting around the web, I’ve stumbled upon some history of the dispute. All is not well, it seems, in the Karnataka Font Development industry. I’m going to use internet sources to try to piece together this sordid saga of hope, suspicion, treachery and betrayal that is the Kannada Font.
Two websites are going to be my primary sources: The Government of Karnataka and some vitriol on a site called Ella Kannadaabhimanigala Antharrashtriya Vedike In (Ekavi)
So it turns out, the Karnataka Government mandates the use of a font called ‘Nudi’ for use in all e-governance projects. The Karnataka Government asserts that this is freeware:
The Karnataka Government owned Kannada Script enabling software NUDI, developed by Kannada Ganaka Parishat, is a freeware. Most of the fonts with NUDI can be used for dynamic font embedding purposes. Since the fonts and the software are available free, these can be used in the no font-embedding situation as well. Regarding R&D, it is a continuing activity to move with the changing technological conditions, mainly so with NUDI. As per the requirements, new features will get implemented in NUDI, of course maintaining compatibility with earlier versions. Futher, it is to be noted that enthusiatic and innovative font developers can develop any number of fonts for NUDI engine using standard software like Fontographer, Fontlab, Font creator etc.
Turns out, Nudi was created by copying a software called Baraha – which it turns out, was a rehashed, pirated – murder most foul! – version of a font called Akruthi. According to this rambling invective on Ekavi, this sinister design was apparently executed by an evil genius/tyrant called ‘VASU of BARAHA’ who is ‘PRIMARILY responsible for all the problems KANNADA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT is facing TODAY’.
VASU has allowed Srinatha Shastry, Narasimha Murthy and Dr. Panditharadhya of Kannada Ganaka Parishat “KGP” to COPY BARAHA Fonts and name it NUDI Fonts and sell NUDI Fonts to Govt. of Karnataka “GoK”. So GoK is using STOLEN PROPERTY and forcing all Departments to use NUDI FONTS. This made other KANNADA SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS to GO OUT of BUSINESS.
Who knew.
NEXT question, we all need to think is,
If BARAHA and NUDI Fonts are being offered FREE like this to KANNADIGAS,
Why BARAHA and NUDI fonts are not in OPEN SOURCE PLATFORM ??? WHY ? WHY ? WHY ? WHY ? WHY ? WHY ?
Oh dear.
Copyright in fonts is untested in India and needs a closer look.In the US, in 1998, a federal district court held in Adobe Systems, Inc. v. Southern Software, Inc that copyright law protects “software programs” that create fonts that are distinct typefaces. But the question of originality can still be raised in the Indian context.The artwork involved in fonts is language itself – not something elaborately conceived independently by the developer. ‘Sweat of brow’ alone is not a determinant of copyrightability in India.
Karnataka – Bangalore
Nudi software: court asks Government if uniform standards can be applied
Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday sought to know from the State Government why it could not prescribe uniform standards for bilingual fonts for developing software in Kannada.
The court was dealing with a petition by some software companies that had questioned the rationale of the Government going in for Nudi software for e-governance.
They claimed that Nudi is creating a monopoly and stifling competition. They said there is no scientific basis for the State to prefer Nudi over other compatible softwares.
The Government argued that Nudi was a free software and that it was essentially being used by Government departments. It said it was the best among the softwares available.
An official of the Department of e-governance, who was present in the court, said more developed and sophisticated tools are now available. Justice A.S. Bopanna, who is hearing the petition, asked why it could not formulate a uniform bilingual font. He asked the State to look into the suggestion.
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