Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
There is no single definition of "block letters", and no requirement that they be all capitals. Of the varying definitions, the only thing in common is that "block" means "not cursive or script".kauboy wrote:Block letters are all capitalized and all the same height (same width too, I think).
KBCraig wrote:There is no single definition of "block letters", and no requirement that they be all capitals. Of the varying definitions, the only thing in common is that "block" means "not cursive or script".kauboy wrote:Block letters are all capitalized and all the same height (same width too, I think).
It would be rather futile to argue that mixed-case signage doesn't meet the requirement just because the lower-case letters were less than 1" in height. Especially if they were all of the same scale.
Kevin
I was there. The letters looked to be about an inch high. I did not have my micrometer with me though.dihappy wrote:The law was written and 1 inch was given as the minimum.
It would really suck for a judge to say something like "well they tried to meet the law, so i side with them".
But i guess it happens all the time.
I disagree that the museum was clearly trying to meet the statute, it looks to me as if they are trying to use the statute without complying with it - if they were trying to meet it, the sign would be conspicuous, ALL of the letters would be one inch in height, and clearly in contrasting colors, not white on clear.lcarreau wrote:I would not want my defense to hinge on the definition of contrasting colors and block print. The museum clearly was trying to meet the statute and that was good enough for me. I was not happy about it, but I was not going to risk the legal consequences.
-Lonnie
Oh good, we turn to Wikipedia for answers to a legal question. Hey Charles, do you rely on Wiki when you're researching a case? Obviously its "the" place to get truthful information.txinvestigator wrote:From Wikipedia;
Block letters may mean any of the following :
In America, they are simple letters that children are taught to write in first grade. They have no serifs and are upright. The name presumably comes from their appearance on wooden blocks that children play with, although these often use conventional Roman typeforms. Deriving from this usage, “block letters� any crude serif or sans-serif font that is formed by cutting a material such as wood or metal without the finer-artistry sophistication usually associated with professional type design in typography.
On official forms, when one is asked to write one's name, the request is usually made to write entirely in capital letters (block letters). This is because cursive handwriting, and especially signatures, can be hard to read. It is often misconstrued that one must write in capital letters when writing in block letters. Contrary to popular belief, and requests from Treasury, block letters can be written in both upper and lower case, at the writer's discretion. Cases such as Fossil Inc v The Fossil Group involving patents, trademarks and registration of designs clearly indicate that block letters may comprise of either lower or upper case.
You have cited no credible source for your assertions. Why would you think Wikipedia is not a credible source? Do you think block letters have a special meaning in this context?kauboy wrote:Oh good, we turn to Wikipedia for answers to a legal question. Hey Charles, do you rely on Wiki when you're researching a case? Obviously its "the" place to get truthful information.txinvestigator wrote:From Wikipedia;
Block letters may mean any of the following :
In America, they are simple letters that children are taught to write in first grade. They have no serifs and are upright. The name presumably comes from their appearance on wooden blocks that children play with, although these often use conventional Roman typeforms. Deriving from this usage, “block letters� any crude serif or sans-serif font that is formed by cutting a material such as wood or metal without the finer-artistry sophistication usually associated with professional type design in typography.
On official forms, when one is asked to write one's name, the request is usually made to write entirely in capital letters (block letters). This is because cursive handwriting, and especially signatures, can be hard to read. It is often misconstrued that one must write in capital letters when writing in block letters. Contrary to popular belief, and requests from Treasury, block letters can be written in both upper and lower case, at the writer's discretion. Cases such as Fossil Inc v The Fossil Group involving patents, trademarks and registration of designs clearly indicate that block letters may comprise of either lower or upper case.
Charles has said that when there is no definition listed in the law for a particular word, then the common usage of the word is what is expected.kauboy wrote:Oh good, we turn to Wikipedia for answers to a legal question. Hey Charles, do you rely on Wiki when you're researching a case? Obviously its "the" place to get truthful information.txinvestigator wrote:From Wikipedia;
Block letters may mean any of the following :
In America, they are simple letters that children are taught to write in first grade. They have no serifs and are upright. The name presumably comes from their appearance on wooden blocks that children play with, although these often use conventional Roman typeforms. Deriving from this usage, “block letters� any crude serif or sans-serif font that is formed by cutting a material such as wood or metal without the finer-artistry sophistication usually associated with professional type design in typography.
On official forms, when one is asked to write one's name, the request is usually made to write entirely in capital letters (block letters). This is because cursive handwriting, and especially signatures, can be hard to read. It is often misconstrued that one must write in capital letters when writing in block letters. Contrary to popular belief, and requests from Treasury, block letters can be written in both upper and lower case, at the writer's discretion. Cases such as Fossil Inc v The Fossil Group involving patents, trademarks and registration of designs clearly indicate that block letters may comprise of either lower or upper case.
"Good faith" effort or not, the law is the law and they must abide by it just as I must. I don't get the leisure to bend it at will and be expected to get away with it. The example given by the DPS is what the sign should resemble, and theirs simply doesn't.
Its OK. It is common for people to attack the messenger when they have no credible and substantial argument.lcarreau wrote:You have cited no credible source for your assertions. Why would you think Wikipedia is not a credible source? Do you think block letters have a special meaning in this context?kauboy wrote:Oh good, we turn to Wikipedia for answers to a legal question. Hey Charles, do you rely on Wiki when you're researching a case? Obviously its "the" place to get truthful information.txinvestigator wrote:From Wikipedia;
Block letters may mean any of the following :
In America, they are simple letters that children are taught to write in first grade. They have no serifs and are upright. The name presumably comes from their appearance on wooden blocks that children play with, although these often use conventional Roman typeforms. Deriving from this usage, “block letters� any crude serif or sans-serif font that is formed by cutting a material such as wood or metal without the finer-artistry sophistication usually associated with professional type design in typography.
On official forms, when one is asked to write one's name, the request is usually made to write entirely in capital letters (block letters). This is because cursive handwriting, and especially signatures, can be hard to read. It is often misconstrued that one must write in capital letters when writing in block letters. Contrary to popular belief, and requests from Treasury, block letters can be written in both upper and lower case, at the writer's discretion. Cases such as Fossil Inc v The Fossil Group involving patents, trademarks and registration of designs clearly indicate that block letters may comprise of either lower or upper case.
-Lonnie
So, you believe that when the police arrive because they got a guy with gun call, you can simply make your argument about the meaning of block letters and contrasting colors and all will be well? Do you expect the prosector will let it go? Or do you see yourself doing a Johnny Cochran at you trial, saying "If the sign and statute don't fit, you must aquit."? When you are on trial, what source will you use foir the meaning of block letters?kauboy wrote:My credible and substantial argument is the law itself. It is very clear. I will not take one anonymous Wiki poseter's interpretation of "block letters" as my basis for understanding a law that has serious ramifications. If that is where you wish to put your trust, then so be it.
As I posted before, the DPS has an example of a 30.06 sign here. The only problem is that when viewed with different screen resolutions, it can't be promised that you will see it as inch high letters.
The sign is supposed to be prominently place so that no matter who you are or whether or not you are carrying a gun, you WILL see it. It supposed to be ugly and obtrusive to draw attention. Any attempt to "pretty" it up by changing the specs or to move it out of the clear view of the public renders it unenforcable.
