[gowld]

How is that true? Can I copy a book or a painting visually as long as I don't copy its "data"?

[true_religion]

No, but typefaces are specifically excluded from copyright. An alphabet is considered to be utilitarian, not art.

[Vanderson]

Fonts and typefaces have unique copyright laws that are different from other forms of art/communication. I made a more detailed comment here:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18541934