Novative Ruption

In sync with my recent items about the history of Standard Register and the history of Electrotyping, and in sync with previous item about Bible IP, received an email just now from Monotype.

I vaguely remember buying a license for a computer font LONG ago, maybe 2004. At that time I was trying to sell my Poser graphics stuff, which uses fonts intensively in a 3d way. I wanted to be strictly legal. Later I figured out that licensing isn’t enforced on very small businesses, so I stopped worrying.

The email announces in Kraut legalistic detail:

= = = = = START QUOTE:

As part of a consolidation of its online offerings, the Monotype Group has decided to discontinue the operation of Monotype GmbH’s online store LinoType, effective 28.03.2024, and to transfer/novate* this business unit in its entirety to MyFonts Inc. of 600 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn, MA 01801 – also a company of the Monotype Group.

In the course of this transfer, your previous LinoType account, including your order history and related customer data, shall be migrated to a new account on MyFonts, so that you can continue to access your data and purchase fonts online in the future. We base this on a legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 letter f GDPR.

= = = = = END QUOTE.

Novate?

= = = = = START QUOTE:

A novation is a mechanism by which the parties to an agreement (in this case, the license agreements/EULAs you have entered into) can quickly and efficiently replace one or more parties to that agreement without disrupting the normal flow of business and without having to enter into a new agreement. The content of your license agreements (EULAs) will not change – only Monotype GmbH will be replaced by MyFonts Inc. as licensor and contractual partner.

= = = = = END QUOTE.

Well, I learned a new word today!

= = = = =

Later: After your attention is caught by a word or object, you suddenly see it where it was invisible before. Today I was reading one of Pat Foster’s auto history books while eating. I’ve been through this book several times, mostly looking at the pictures. A page was discussing Studie’s 1963 abandonment of US auto production, which also included Studie’s defense contract division. At that time Willys was part of Kaiser, and Kaiser decided to buy the defense plant. Later it became AM General, known for buses and Hummers.

A novation agreement was signed for Kaiser to assume a $91 million contract for production of 5-ton tactical trucks.

So novation isn’t a new word, and isn’t just for guarantees. It applies to any contract that changes ownership without changing the other terms of the contract.