I spent the last year of my BFA researching the prevalence of typeface plagiarism in the United States and how inadequate legal protections contribute to the imitation of existing type designs. Through an exploration of copyright laws, international comparisons, and a visual study of variations of Baskerville and Gotham, I investigated the distinction between typographic inspiration, revival, and plagiarism. The research argues that the abundance of easily accessible typefaces does not necessarily reflect innovation, but rather a cycle of imitation that limits creative progress. Ultimately, I am an advocate for stronger legal protections that recognize typeface design as an original art form and encourage greater creativity within the American typography industry.
