Safe to use SDL_ttf in a commercial app?

[bignobody]

According to the help page at http://jcatki.no-ip.org/SDL_ttf/SDL_ttf.html, "WARNING: There may be patent issues with using the FreeType library. Check the FreeType website for up-to-date details."

I wasn't able to find any up to date details. From searching the forums here, it seems there are a few people using SDL_ttf in their commercial apps. Can anyone confirm that it is safe, legally speaking, to use it?

Regards,

[Ryan Clark]

This site looks helpful:

http://freetype.sourceforge.net/patents.html

[bignobody]

Thanks Ryan! Not sure how I missed that page.

Just in case anyone searches these forums in the future for the same issue:

According to libsdl.org, SDL_ttf requires FreeType2.0 or newer, which is NOT in violation of Apple's patents (FreeType1.0 is the one in violation).

This is good news for me, because SDL_ttf has been a pleasure to use so far.

[Ryan Clark]

Just make sure you're using a current version of SDL_ttf... the older docs (http://jcatki.no-ip.org/SDL_ttf/SDL_ttf.html) seem to suggest that FreeType 1.2 was used, previously.

But as you said, the SDL website indicates that current versions of SDL_ttf use FreeType 2.0 or higher.