fmartlaw
Thanks everyone for the lively contributions. Short story, it doesn't matter what form of letter you use, just write your congresspersons and senators and bring this to their attention.
If a foundry relies entirely upon contract law and their license, that is great provided that you have a license in place. Now imagine a state of U.S. law where there is no copyright for font software. If a user has no license and has no relationship with your foundry what is your recourse? There are some courses of action, but now one is in the realm of unfair competition, unjust enrichment, etc., all so much less clear when compared to copyright infringement.
I am super busy right now and will not be able to engage in a dialogue, but I encourage all of you to act. By way of background, I started working in graphics as a printer of art, you know, etchings and lithographs for artists and galleries. Shortly after I started, I had the chance to visit a printer who had the contract to print the official record of the NY State Legislature. "Back in the day," this printing was done by letterpress, because the printers union had a lock on all official report printing. The owner took me down to the basement where he had 5 working condition Linotypes and told me I could have them, if I would just remove them. It was a "twofer" not only did I understand that the letterpress (big flat bed Millers) business was effectively dead (I had a PS Laser printer and a Mac Plus) the Linotype and hot lead were dead as well.
Why do I mention this? If we are not active, the same fate will befall type design. If we cannot protect it, it will cease to have any commercial viability.
All the best,
FM