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Re:First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography by pyre on Wednesday July 07, 2010 @08:56PM (#1496086)
From http://design.canonical.com/2010/07/the-ubuntu-font/:

  > Today all Ubuntu Members will have access to a
  > private PPA so that they can use, test and enjoy
  > the font.
  > 
  > The font is scheduled for completion 8th August
  > and this is when we aim to open the beta to everyone.
So the they are opening usage to a select group prior to the actual completion of the font's design.
Re:First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography by rdtsc on Wednesday July 07, 2010 @09:51PM (#1496178)
I think that makes sense. Perhaps the foundry asked for it. They wouldn't want to any negative comments because the work is not finished yet.
Re:First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography by Groxx on Thursday July 08, 2010 @12:59AM (#1496526)
And they probably (rightfully so) fear a wave of mostly-uninformed (read: non-typographic-geek) comments.