The foundry has appealed to designers and pre-press professionals to end the illegal practice of font sharing to protect the intellectual property of designers.

Monotype Imaging managing director John McCallum said that font sharing could create a "free for all" in the graphic design community, and that it "puts the value of design itself at risk".

The international foundry offers a free font checking tool, FontWise Fontcheck, to download from its website. It is also offering advice on whether firms are operating legally by calling 01737 781666.

For more information, visit www.monotypefonts.com/keepdesignalive.