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Title: Open DIN: Das Ist Norm
Date: 2006-11-02 12:08
Author: Femke
Category: Type
Tags: DIN, Standards + Formats
Slug: open-din-das-ist-norm
Status: published

**What does it mean, when a typeface is released in the public domain?
What are the legal issues surrounding typography? How can a font be
generated collaboratively, using open source software? What does it
mean, an open standard and how can such a standard fit different
contexts?**

![DIN\_Q](http://ospublish.constantvzw.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/q-32.jpg){#image148}

To get our hands into these and many other interesting, but difficult
questions, the Open Source Publishing team has embarked on a new
adventure. In the coming year, we will be working on a new digital
rendering of the classic DIN font with the aim to release it in the
public domain.

We chose DIN (often referred to as "the German Autobahn typeface") as a
starting point for a few reasons.

First of all, because it is one of the rare typefaces that was released
into the public domain from the moment it was designed in 1932. While
the original drawings remain freely available, various type foundries
have copyrighted digital renderings (see:
[http://www.linotype.com/](http://www.linotype.com/306/din1451-family.html)
and
[http://www.fontfont.com/](http://www.fontfont.com/shop/index.ep?cview=P71702D&clist=PD)).

Secondly because its particular history brings up many questions about
standards, their political implications and relations to use. In 1936
the German Standard Committee decided DIN should be employed in
technology, traffic, administration, and business, with the idea to
facilitate the development of German engineering and industry. Our point
of departure is therefore far from neutral ground.

Collaborators: Pierre Huyghebaert, Harrisson, Philip May, Nicolas Maleve
and Femke Snelting.