Symbol key (§) does not appear in signs/chat and bugs up on books

First of all, let me apologize about the very bad picture. But, if you can see it (try viewing your screen from a different angle), the text is near-transparent. I put a dark highlight on it to try and make it easier to see, but it's still very difficult.

Now, the issue is that when you try to place the symbol key (§) which is used to define color codes (See: http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Formatting_codes), they do not appear in chat nor command blocks, period. Typing the key and pasting it has no effect. However, pasting or typing it into a book will create a near-transparent text, as I mentioned above, which quickly alternates between 7 and 0. Typing something before typing the symbol key will not cause anything to appear.

Again, apologies for the transparent text. I tried my best.

To replicate:
Either paste or type (ALT+2+1 on Windows or ⌥ Option+6 on a Mac) the symbol key (§) into chat, a command block, and/or a book.