How to Avoid Legal Issues When Using Typefaces and Fonts in Your Small Business Logo
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.พ. 2017
- Every business, from startups to small businesses to the largest companies and agencies in the world, must have a strong brand to succeed in today's noisy marketplace.
It’s true that a brand is more than a logo, but a strong brand starts with a great logo. But when it comes to logos and other written digital and print marketing materials, there's a lot of confusion about typefaces, fonts, and the law. You can face heavy fines and get into a lot of trouble if you don’t have a license to the fonts and typefaces you use.
crowdspring has helped tens of thousands of the worlds best entrepreneurs and small businesses with logo design (and other design and naming services). We know a little bit about fonts, typefaces, logos and the law.
Plus, it helps that before starting crowdspring, I was an intellectual property attorney (in fact, I've had my law degree for the past 23 years).
Whether you're a business owner or designer: if you want to avoid running into legal problems with your logo, this video is for you. I talk about typefaces, fonts and the law. You won't be an expert, but you will know enough to ask the right questions.
Do you have other questions about fonts and typefaces and the law or useful tips based on your own practice? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Want to make your business stand out? Get help from crowdspring:
www.crowdspring.com/how-it-wo...
Learn five other branding mistakes that will cripple your small business at www.crowdspring.com/resources...
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Thank you for shedding light on this very complex legal matter! Was very helpful! :)
This is why I recreate the font/typeface in Microsoft Paint instead lol Takes a lot of tedious time lining blocks, dots, and lines together but I at least I can say I created it.
Microsoft Paint LOL
Thank you so much for clearing all my doubts.
Thank you crowdSPRING for this video and actually taking the time to reply to people's questions and thoroughly too! Oh boy, you answered all my questions in the comments and basically in the video but whatever, thank you so much. I was totally scared about this topic and so happy I can move on.
Happy to hear you found the video and answers useful.
Thank you for being so generous with your time and expertise 🙏 it says a lot about crowdspring 🏅👍
This is what I was searching for...
I had some questions, but after watching this video and reading the questions and your answers below, I'm very well informed.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it a lot !
Get info. Thanks a lot! I never knew that fonts and typefaces were different, I've always used them interchangeably. Also, I never knew to outline the fonts!
This is very helpful, thanks so much for sharing
Awesome video in youtube for understanding about use of fonts and typefaces
Thanks for the video. I have tries to find the comment that relates to me completely but I couldn't. I want to use helvetica for working on a t shirt design. I pay for the Adobe suite and helvetica is in there to use. If I use it on my t shirt and sell the t shirt then can I be prosecuted?
For example if I designed a t shirt with the word 'hello' and just typed it in helvetica and then that's it, is that ok?
Thank you!
The fonts that come with Adobe's suite allow for commercial and non-commercial use. See here for more details: www.adobe.com/products/type/font-licensing/licensing-faq.html
Sir, i want to make a youtube thumbnail so whichone should i use typeface(arial,banger,russo one) or fonts(arialitalic,bangerbold,russoone regular)
This was helpful. I was on canva and wondering how much of it I could actually use for my music brand. Seems like the best thing to do is to create my own art work. Not sure yet about the font for my logo. Definitely a lot to learn…
Whenever your budget permits, you should always look to create unique art work. Aside from copyright issues, it'll help you stand out. Otherwise, dozens or hundreds of music brands might share common design elements because they're all using generic art from a tool like Canva. More about branding: www.crowdspring.com/blog/branding/
Thanks for sharing ! However I couldn’t understand the one thing.. I have a youtube channel which I’m teaching English and German. If I use fonts from dafont in the video not in thumbnail or in the logo,wouldn’t it be fair use because I use the font some part of my video and give it a new meaning?
Thank you for the helpful video, this is such confusing territory! Can you please clarify a situation:
Typically my logo designs look like a monogram from the initials of the clients' business name (like AE, MO, etc.) comprised from very altered font bases interwoven, spliced, etc., so they no longer look like the original font at all and are certainly not editable fonts. But then I type out the name of the biz below, as a "logotype", typically comprised of one or two fonts/typefaces licensed for commercial use, maybe spread out a bit with increased letter spacing. But I don't modify the logotype font very much at all. Really just type it out, maybe sometimes add a stroke. I deliver as a vector, not editable type.
Does any licensed for commercial font, made into outlines, make for an acceptable logotype? I know the "monogram" part of the logo is totally original, but the typeface is imitable by anyone else who has licensed the font. Can the client legally trademark the whole thing as their logo or just the monogram / artwork part?
Thankyou!!
Jenny, any licensed for commercial font and any font, really, makes for an acceptable logotype (from a legal perspective). Obviously, some fonts are much better for logos (clarity, readability, scalability, etc.). Concerning trademarking ... there are a lot of facts at issue when trademarking, including those not in your question. Generally, the client would look to trademark the monogram/artwork and the logotype together if they were looking to trademark the entire design (they can also trademark them separately). The key is what is actually used in commerce. If the client only uses the monogram in commerce, they can only really acquire trademark rights to the monogram (not the rest of the design). On the other hand, if they only use the logotype and not the monogram design, they would be unable to show use in commerce and would not receive trademark rights for the monogram part of the design. More about trademarks here: www.crowdspring.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-small-business-trademarks/
Thank you for this!
Excellent job!
Thanks for your vídeo. All "SIL Open Font License (OFL)" is free to commercial use? i read the terms but i'm still confusid. Tks fron brazil!
SIL Open Font License allows the use of the fonts for commercial and non-commercial purposes. It's one of the more popular open font licenses.
Question since you mentioned logo's. I have a shirt design in mind that is a parody of a tv show that has been off the air for over 25 years, but it IS on dvd. I want to use the overall look of the logo and in one design use one main word and a prepostion word from the title and change the rest of the words to another tense. In another design of same tv show logo I want to have main word totally different,only the prepostion word the same and the remaining words as a different tense. Is this an "iffy' concept or generally ok? Thanks
You should discuss and get advice from an attorney you hire to advise you on that issue. Fair use rules come into play (depending on what you'll do with the shirt) but these are very factually detailed issues and the answers would highly depend on what specifically you're doing, how it looks, how it compares to the original, etc.
Great video! Thank you so much! So, I'm a business owner and I purchase the license to a font, can I use this font directly in my logo without rasterizing and outlining provided the license allows it?
Yes - but keep in mind that using a font directly could be limiting because you'll often have to resize logos and unless the logo is vectorized, you might distort the quality. Much of this depends on the quality of the font and your intended use(s).
Hello, thank you for this video.
I work as a designer, mostly I design books, both covers and insides. I know that I can use fonts that are in public domain without me or my clients paying anything. But terms like SIL Open Font License or Freeware License confuse me. Can I use them in my work and are there any limitations?
Also, once I downloaded a free font, and they sent it to me with a license key. Am I supposed to have it for every free font I use?
There are some good materials to help you understand those terms. For example, for SIL Open Font license, look at scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&id=OFL or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIL_Open_Font_License or opensource.org/licenses/OFL-1.1
A Freeware License generally makes something available for free, but the copyright is retained by the developer/designer. Wikipedia has more about this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware
The terms of the license determine whether or not you can use a font in your work and if there are any limitations. Typically, with a freeware license, there are none. Under SIL Open License, you can generally use the font and sell your work, but you cannot sell the fonts themselves (look at the preamble to the SIL Open Font License).
Concerning your last question - I don't know the answer. Free fonts are often governed by a license too and those terms will tell you if you need a license key when you use it. Typically, you should not, but that's a question to ask the person/entity that sent you the license key.
Hi, I just set up a website using the company "Wix" and I used one of the typefaces/fonts that they had available to spell out my small business name. To be specific, I used the "peaches and cream" font. If I now use this font or typeface (still a bit confused by the difference font/typeface) on business cards, and letterhead to match the website would that possibly cause legal problems? If so, what do I need to do so I can use the font freely to advertise my business name on the website, business cards, etc. Thank you!
Congrats on setting up your website, Joy! In simple terms, a typeface is a family of related fonts that share common design features. For example, Ariel might have regular, bold, italic, bold italic, and narrow bold fonts. A font has a specific weight, scale, condensation, width, slant, etc. Concerning your question: it's impossible to answer without more info. It's a question you should ask Wix. Normally, the Peaches and Cream font is licensed and use is regulated. Wix licenses it to you for use on your website but most likely, you can't use it oustide your website under that license. Take a look at www.wix.com/about/mono-terms-of-use (this page explains your usage restrictions - look especially at section 4, usage restrictions). In any case - they should be able to clarify this for you. The good news is that the Peaches and Cream font isn't expensive, even if you do have to buy a separate license for it.
Appreciate for the video!
There's a question even I've read EULA and watch your video but still confused:
I've bought a font from Myfont with desktop license, and then I created a logo for my client. The monogram is base on that font but altered many detail such as kerning, weight and the serifs parts, and the logo is a combination with a symbol (won't used only the monogram part). The logo will be print on their product packaging.
For this project I only provide the outline version of the logo and png. The font is used only in the logo, client don't have the font software. Would that be okay?
A desktop license allows you to install the font on your desktop and use it in various programs that can use fonts installed on your system. It would make little sense if you couldn't use that font for clients - that's the point of buying the font. And in your case, you're giving the client the outline version of the logo and the png and not the font itself. You don't appear to be doing anything that would violate the EULA. You're using the font you purchased in the way that most people use purchased fonts.
@@crowdspring Thanks a lot!!
I am confused, so I live in the UK and if i was going to outline an already existing font and then make some slight alterations to that to better match my brand for my logo would that be illegal?
As long as you're lawfully using a font that you purchased or have a right to use, it's fine to alter fonts for use in logo design. Many logotypes have tweaks to the font and there's nothing wrong with that. But be sure to check the licensing agreement. Some fonts don't permit use in logos and sometimes, a font (especially a free one) might restrict commercial use. This is rare, but still a good idea to check, especially if you're using a non-standard font that you download from a font site and not a font included with your design software.
Thank you so much
Hi question does the fonts that was pre installed to Mac OS could use for commercial use? thank you
Yes (just remember that you cannot legally copy and distribute the electronic font files).
Thanks for all the info! I'm still confused tho, can I make vector modifications on OFL typefaces for commercial use (using artistic programs to do so)? I wanna design clothing prints with phrases on to sell, and shrink or adjust points/sizes manually of some letters using the vector program, for example, and they say I can't sell the font itself, so, can I still make these little modifications in the typeface design and sell the print with it (not the font software itself, is that correct)? Thank you! I'm at the point of actually writing my own original fonts because I'm SO confused I prefer using mine lol but it's super time consuming xD
You are correct that you cannot sell the fonts. But you can make vector modifications and incorporate those in designs that you sell to others. You should read the font license carefully to be sure nothing in the license prohibits this. But this would be a very unusual restriction and I don't recall seeing it in the font licenses I've reviewed.
@@crowdspring Thank you very much! OFL was a little confusing to me, I've read the files many times and still couldn't figure out this particular thing; I'll avoid doing it anyways just to be sure. Thanks very much again :D
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Glad you found the video useful.
Hi there, thanks for this video! I have one question, though. I am in the UK and I want to use the typefaces 'DIN condensed' and 'Arial Black'. They will be used in some designs I post on Twitter and in my logo. Also, I may begin selling things with my logo on it which would then mean I'd be selling things with the Arial black typeface on it. Please could you let me know whether I am able to do this, and what the legal implications would be. Thanks.
Arial is commonly included with most design software. I am not sure DIN condensed is as common. In any case, if you own the typefaces, your license will govern how you can use them. If you're not sure, both can be purchased for a very small amount of money from reputable companies.
crowdSPRING ok thanks a lot, I will look into buying them!
What font license would I need to be able to use a font on my computer to edit it, then use that design on t-shirts that would be made by a 3rd party on print demand service like Printful, then sold to consumers in the US and outside the US?
You'll want a license that permits commercial use and doesn't restrict use on clothing (most licenses don't have such a restriction so just read the terms of the license for the font you intend to use).
What would be the best way to keep the licenses for specific fonts together with the font? I use a Macbook....how can I specify in Font book that I have a license for a specific font?
A good strategy is to keep a backup of all installed fonts, together with their licenses, in a separate font backup directory. And to avoid having to refer to the backup directory every time, create a txt file for yourself that lists any restrictions for fonts. For example, you can have a column that lists all the fonts you can use for personal and commercial use, another column for fonts that can only be used for personal use, etc. Fontbook on the mac will let you see info about the font if you click on the font and use the Show Font Info in the menu. In most cases, you'll need to look up another license, such as SIL Open Font license if a font happens to be licensed under that license. But doing that every time will impact your workflow, so it's a good idea to keep a quick reference list of the type I suggested (particularly for new fonts you buy or download that aren't included with OS X).
Couple quick questions: It is safe to assume with the example provided in the comment below about logos and t-shirts, that use of a font within videos for commercial projects would also not require more than the initial font purchase? Do most licenses care if the font is used for multiple clients? If a font is on my computer how can I determine if I can use it, and can I purchase a license to cover previous works completed? Thanks in advance.
Glenn,
If you're displaying the logo or t-shirt in a video, you do not need a separate license to show those fonts in the video. More importantly, most font licenses allow you to use the font for all types of commercial projects (or specify restrictions, in which case you would know whether or not you can use it that way). Thus, if you buy a font that permits commercial use without restriction, you don't need to buy it again to use in a video, or on a t-shirt, or on the web, etc. However, there are fonts that have separate licenses for web use vs. print use vs. mobile use, as an example.
Concerning your second question - that's a tough question to properly answer. Many computers are preloaded with fonts that you can use for commercial and non-commercial projects. The problem is that you could be using a computer you bought from someone else, or another program might have installed its own fonts that have specific limitations on use. For example, Adobe's fonts (there are about 1000 fonts, representing about 100 typefaces) are commonly owned by Adobe or sub-licensed from a third party foundry not owned by Adobe. You can look at Adobe's FAQs on licensing for questions about their fonts (www.adobe.com/products/type/font-licensing/licensing-faq.html). Every foundry has its own EULA (End-User license Agreement) and that's where you would need to look to know if you can use a specific font.
Whenever an operating system is published, the publisher includes certain fonts. Thus, you can check what fonts you have and confirm that these were included with Windows 10, for example, or OS X (whichever you're using). If you find unique fonts not included by the OS, then it's a tougher question. There are good, reputable foundries and you can always get a license to cover your work from them if you're in doubt. In most cases, licenses are not expensive and unlike free fonts & typefaces, you'll get a complete set.
Excellent thanks. The video element to where the font would be used is in titling and captions. Thanks again for your knowledge sharing.
@crowdspring Sir, from where can i get such fonts with licence to use in youtube thumbnail...can i use the fonts like Arial....or the fonts from Google fonts which are licenced under open font licence or apache licence...so should i use google fonts or fonts like arial...please help sir...i am getting confused.....or leave all of them can i use only the typeface (arial,bangers) instead of using font(arial bold,bangers italic) so am i free to use type faces instead of fonts
Google fonts would work well for this purpose. Pick a font available via Google Fonts and you should be fine.
So what if I screenshotted the font on my pc, opened the image on a cad program, traced the outlines and then elaborated it as my logo, can I use it?
And if I need to buy a license, what type of license do I need? (desktop,webfont,digital-ads) it's kinda confusing.
Technically this would be acceptable under US law, but it would be much better to spend a few bucks and buy the font properly. The issue is often less about just the logo but if you want to also help your client with other materials. You need to own the font if you want to create marketing materials or other materials consistent with the font you used in the logo. Concerning the type of license: it depends how you intend to use. If we only, you need a web only license. If you intend to use in digital ads, you need a font license that allows such use. Each license specifies what is and what isn't allowed.
Hello,
In the article and the video, you are saying that I can print out the glyphs, scan them into my computer, open up Adobe Illustator and trace the glyphs/letters and use them for a t-shirt design and sell the t-shirt?
As I wrote in the article, and discussed in the video:
"Some argue that you can copy a font (by recreating it yourself) and as long as you don’t copy the computer program, you’re not violating the law (in the U.S.). How might you do this? Among other ways, you can lawfully print every glyph on a printer, scan the image and then trace each image on your computer (none of this would involve copying the software or program representing the fonts)."
Now, this might be legally OK (depending on where you live) but there's a separate question whether it's morally OK. Ultimately, a designer created the font and given the relatively affordable prices for most fonts (and the difficulty of trying to run around the law), it's nearly always best to just spend a few dollars and purchase an appropriate license.
Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the advice and thanks for breaking that down further. Have a great day!
Can you tell me please, if I can use the fonts that were included with the Sketchbook App (like Avenir or Chalkduster), to write and sell a book for children? Or do I have to buy a separate licence for commercial purposes?
Yes. Fonts included with software you purchase or license can be used for commercial purposes unless the software specifically forbids such use. It's very rare for commercial software to prohibit commercial use (since that would remove one key advantage of buying the software). Whenever you're unsure, look at the terms of the license - the software should include those terms.
@@crowdspring Thank you very much for your answer!
I have a question regarding my situation:
I have an image that I wish to print on t-shirts which I made using a particular typeface on Illustrator. Every single character has been dramatically altered because I used a tool called Envelope Distort, which bends and warps each letter into particular shapes. In this case, all the letters form the shape of an eye. And as far as Illustrator is concerned, there is not one character of text in my file, because Envelope Distort requires that for first turn any text you might use into outlines. And again, it bends and warps every character quite dramatically.
In your opinion, am I safe, or do I need to acquire a licence? I accept that you do not give legal advice.
Thank you very much.
There are two issues relevant to your question.
First, whenever you use a typeface (or font), be sure you have a legal license to use it. This is relevant legally (you're following the law) and it supports the artist who created that typeface/font. It shouldn't matter if you distort it beyond recognition - if you started with something that someone worked hard to create, you should recognize that hard work (by purchasing a license).
The second issue concerns whether you need a license to sell the t-shirt with your design after you manipulated and warped the text and turned it into outlines. The simple answer to this question is to see the paragraph above. :) You should always have a license (or be sure you can use a free typeface/font commercially). You don't need an additional license or the right to sub-license since you're not selling the typeface/font - you're selling only the t-shirt with the design.
Put another way: it's not morally right to take a commercial font for which you don't have a license and manipulate it to then sell a design based on that font (although doing so by creating outlines, etc. might in itself be legal given the state of copyright law - at least in the U.S.).
@@crowdspring I understand. Thanks for the response.
What about a font on Phonto ?? Can I use it ?
Is it legal to use sans text for digital comic books or do I have to hand draw the letters using the computer mouse? I need a legal way to fill in my talk and thought bubbles that people can easily read. Sometimes I hand draw a scream or explosion "sound" but it would take a long time to do this for all text but if that's what I must do, then so be it.
Hi Jason, I think you will find the following article extremely useful: "7 Awesome Free Comic Book Fonts for Commercial Use and How to Use Them" - jasonthibault.com/comic-book-fonts/
Hey this will be very useful. Thank you sir.
Hi Ross, I'm an author and would like to use a fab font I've found on the cover and title page of my next publication. I've spent the best part of 2 days trying to find out who the author or font foundry is, without success. It's available on several free-download websites, one of which mentions that fonts are available either as GNU/GNR (I think I've got that right) or shareware or similar - the others don't say anything at all! Where do I go from here?
Careful with free download websites. They're not always reliable and the fonts you download can very well be commercial fonts that require licenses. You're nearly always safer spending a few dollars to buy an affordable, commercial font (if you need the font for your work) or working with a designer that can create the cover and title for you (if you ever need help with a book cover, crowdspring has helped thousands of authors - www.crowdspring.com/book-cover-design/ ). There is an exception in GNU licenses permitting fonts to be shared within a digital document without requiring that the document itself be also shared with GPL (a type of public license) This is known as the GPL font exception clause and it would appear in the text of the license, if it's in the license. You can read more about that here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPL_font_exception There are also some tools that will let you match a font you found and show you other, similar fonts. So, if you're unable to identify licensing information but like the font, you can try one of those tools (most are free) and see if another, suitable font is also a good match for you. Good luck with the cover and your next publication!
I own a small business in Canada and I was looking for fonts on MyFonts. If i decide to use their fonts in as my logo, will there be any consequences?
Look at the specific licensing for each font. For example ... www.myfonts.com/fonts/linotype/neue-helvetica/licensing.html
Hi, may I check if the Eras Bold ITC font in Adobe Photoshop is free for commercial use? I’m very new to this area, and just designed a book cover for a book series for my client, which is to be printed commercially as a textbook. I used the Eras Bold ITC font for the title, but I am unsure if a license is required. The title also is to be edited for each book by the client as well. May I ask if a license is needed, or if I just need to credit the font creator?
If you're using a font sold with Adobe Photoshop and have properly licensed Photoshop, you have a license to use that font. For example, ALL fonts in the Creative Cloud subscription are licensed for personal and commercial use. helpx.adobe.com/fonts/using/font-licensing.html (and if you have a proper license, you don't need to credit the font creator).
@@crowdspring thank you for the quick reply! :)
If and when creating my own logo as a designer, and the artistic program I use has the "T" for typing out a word or sentence and gives you font options, as well as the "rasterize" option for the letters or words, would I be better off just focusing on hand lettering instead of just typing it out? Just to be safer or safe in general? I'm all about doing it legally~ less problems! Haha
You should always create vectorized logos so that you can easily manipulate the size of the logo. Rasterized images don't scale up nicely. To answer your question - if the artistic program comes with built-in fonts, you already may have a license to use them in your work - you just need to review the license agreement - that should help you to assess whether you have the legal right to use the fonts (and if your rights are limited in any way).
Thank you so much for the fast reply! This is taking me a step further and I'm understanding more on what to do next~
Can i use any font or typeface available for making youtube channel logo and youtube video thumbnail??...please help
You can use any font or typeface for which you have a proper license allowing such use.
thank you! im starting a tshirt business and im trying to understand...say i buy a font with a commercial license on myfonts.com and alter the font i purchased also adding my custom designs underneath the fonts or all over ... would that be okay?
If the font license for the font you purchase allows you to alter the font, then you should be fine. Every license is different so check carefully. The reason some font creators don't allow alteration is because they worry that someone may slightly tweak the font and then resell the font itself through a font service. You're not proposing to do that so most licenses shouldn't prevent the type of use you envision. Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible for a designer to work with a font.
thank you! really appreciate ya! :)
Can you use Apple Fonts (from font book) on my book commercially/platform use (books, t-shirts, eBook, etc.?) The font is noteworthy
Restrictions for those fonts can be found in the Font Book/Preview/Show Font Info panel. But often, you won't find a clear answer. For example, the Arial language is this: "You may use this font to display and print content as permitted by the license terms for the product in which this font is included. You may only (i) embed this font in content as permitted by the embedding restrictions included in this font; and (ii) temporarily download this font to a printer or other output device to help print content." But generally, based on what I've seen from Apple, you can use those fonts on books, t-shirts, etc. You cannot sell the electronic versions of the fonts (something you're not intending to do anyway).
crowdspring sweet! Thank you so much!
If I own an iPad and I write a book on that iPad using one of the fonts that came pre-installed with the iPad, does it automatically give me the right to print that book and sell it?
Typically, fonts installed on devices that you buy, including your example iPad, give you the license to use those fonts both personally and commercially. If you didn't have this right, it would create lots of complications and legal challenges. But you can identify this for every font by looking at Font Book/Preview/Show Font Info panel on a Mac (for example). I'm not sure where the similar info would appear on an iPad.
Thanks for the video. Maybe someone asked this before but I just want to make sure. I recently finished a graphic design course and I am building up my portfolio (I am not a professional graphic designer yet), and I found a really beautiful font on dafont.com that it's free for personal use, and I want to use it for a passion project (not a real brand) that I am currently working on and that I want to include in my portfolio to show what I can do, and upload it on my behance page and Instagram. Would that be considered personal or commercial use? Thanks a lot!!
Congrats on finishing the graphic design course! Free for personal use typically means you're not allowed to sell or make money from the work that incorporates this font. As long as you're not selling your portfolio work directly (specifically, the work that uses this font), then showcasing the work in your portfolio wouldn't appear to violate the font rules. Put another way: commercial use of a font would result in some personal or business financial gain. If neither you nor your business (or a business with which you're affiliated) makes money through the use of that font, you're not using it commercially.
Candara and monotype corsiva from ms paint?
Hi crowdspring, great video but Im still a little confused. I seen the video and read most of your comment replies but I still have some follow up questions for you.
I am trying to start my own company and say I have decided to use this particular font called FONTA. It has a few different versions i.e Bold, light, dark, etc. All are paid except for the free version, which is FONTA BOLD. I am OK with this version and decided to stick with it. Info from the original font distributor says that it can be used commercially but has its limits i.e how many desktop users can use this font, and if you use this on a website it can only serve up to 1,000 customers a month etc.
1. So I created a logo using the font and a 100% original image as part of the logo and this logo can be copyrighted. From what ive gathered in your video, is that this is totaly legal and doable. (right?)
2. If I want to use this font for e-brochures or websites, im free to do so because I already have the 'license' since its a free version, as long as I adhere to the limitations of the license correct?
3. I can freely use the font for printed materials such as PACKAGING(important) and paper brochures ( license did not mention about printed material, im assuming because 'typefaces' cant be patented or copyrighted?)
4. Someday if I have many users coming into my website (over the license limits) and I had to pay alot more for the extra users I can circumvent this problem by getting the outline of this font by scanning and tracing like you mentioned and creating a new font for myself using font software?
*Im using copyright/patent/trademark interchangeably here but I mean the same thing because I dont really understand the difference.
Thank you for your time and I really appreciate your help!
You don't list all the license restrictions so it's not possible to answer your questions fully. Restrictions will offer differ for offline and online use, and sometimes, you have to buy separate licenses for each. But ... here are a few comments on your questions:
1. A logo would be trademarked (when used in commerce), not copyrighted. More on this here (including the difference between the two): www.crowdspring.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-small-business-trademarks/
2. Free fonts (which often have a license) have limitations too but as long as you adhere to the limitations of the license, you certainly can use it under those terms. But don't assume that because it's free, there are no restrictions. For example, free fonts are often available solely for personal use. So you couldn't do client work or use in a commercial setting (like an online e-commerce site, for example).
3. Impossible to answer - the license would speak to how you may or may not use the fonts.
4. It's very difficult to create a font and all the necessary variations. The work involved, if you're not an experienced font designer, would take many, many hours and you'd still end up with a sub-par result. Pick a license that gives you maximum flexibility and allows your business to scale for no additional fees or for modest additional fees. A license that doesn't cost much initially but costs a lot later is not a particularly good option for most businesses.
Hi Crowdspring,
I have a question: I found a font on Font Squirrel that has a freeware license. It states the following:
"This font was found on the internet and did not come with a license. While we try to make sure that all the fonts on fontsquirrel.com are properly licensed for commercial use, there are many fonts that have either been abandoned by their authors or the authors distribute their fonts without an explicit license.
It is our opinion that if the unlicensed font is freely available for download from either the original source or from multiple free-font sites then we assume it to be safe to use the font commercially. This is no guarantee of such freedom, but there are so many unlicensed free fonts distributed by primary sources that the intentions must be read that the font is free to use how you like."
I am ready to pay for the commercial license just to cover myself and my business, but the company that made the fonts was dissolved 15 years ago. Would going down the path of printing the glyphs, scanning them, and then outlining them myself and using them commercially be ok in this scenario?
Always be cautious when you can't see the full license terms. The fact that a font is freely available for download doesn't mean the license allows commercial use or the font is actually free. And contrary to what they say in their note, "intentions" matter little when it comes to whether or not you can legally use a font.
When the original "author" dies, as in the case of corporate dissolution, there is still a copyright owner (generally). So there would still be some risk in using a font without clearly understanding your license rights.
As we mention in the video, outlining does help avoid this issue ultimately.
The bigger question with most free fonts is whether they're actually user friendly. Many free fonts look nice at a quick glance but are not easy to read and usually lack different treatments (thickness, italics, etc.). Can you find similar fonts that are available for commercial use from Google Fonts or other parties? There are often a number of fonts that have a similar look/feel and we would generally recommend you find something very close, especially when your license rights are not clear.
@@crowdspring Thank you very much for the quick reply and for this informative video! The font in question is a decorative font. I haven't come across anything similar to it. I will continue to search on Font Squirrel and Google Fonts. Thanks again!
So i downloaded a font off Dafont, and i put it in photoshop, and made a small logo, and i changed the given font a bit, by cutting out some parts and adding others, is this legal for me to put this as my main company logo? Or is it fine just until he sues me?
Let's start with the most important thing here: you should never create logos in Photoshop. That's not the proper tool for logos. You want to create vector logos so that resizing won't impact the pixel quality. Photoshop can't help you do this. Use Illustrator CorelDraw or other reputable programs that can create vector formats. Here's more about this on our site: www.crowdspring.com/help/rules-code-of-conduct-creatives/what-software-do-i-need-to-design-logos-on-crowdspring/ Now to your question - you can tweak the logotype (and this is very typical) and use it as your main company logo. What you can't do is tweak the fonts and then resell them as another set of fonts (nearly all licenses prohibit this - although there are some font licenses that let you do whatever you want with the font - look at every license carefully).
I read the article and watched and searched but I am some what confused on some of this. I buy a font to use in designing logos., tshirts etc. Then I use it. But when I use it I convert it in Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator, which now no longer sees it as a font. Is it still a font ? Does the client for a logo still need a license of their own ? THanks
There are two separate issues here. The font use used is covered by a license and since you bought it, it most likely permits you to use it for commercial projects (for clients). Look at the license terms to see if this is allowed. If so, clients would not be required to buy that font again in order to use the work you create for them (although they might need to buy the font if they want to use it elsewhere, such as on their website or marketing materials, etc.). Separately, if you vectorize, your work and deliver the vectorized version to your clients, the clients should not need to buy a license of their own to use the work you created for them.
Thanks for reading the post and watching the video. I hope the clarification helps you.
crowdSPRING y
I have used a font and created a logo/wordmark for a client. It has been kerned and graphic bars have been added above and below. It has been turned to outlines in illustrator and is now a vector image. The client is planning to trademark the logo. Will there be any typography issues legally with the licence or does the above sound ok?
Sounds like you've done what you need to do to avoid issues.
@@crowdspring smart answer :D
So i am a cover art maker for rappers to use on spotify. I make the cover art for free. After this video I went to look back at some old work i’ve made and i see that I used some fonts that you needed to pay for to use, but i downloaded them from a site ‘free download (font name)’, am I in trouble now or the site owner of the free download site? and what can i do now that i used fonts where you need to pay for without paying for them (and placed on spotify as art cover)????
Anyone who violates copyright could be legally liable (including that site owner and anyone who used the fonts in a way that violated the license). Put differently: you can't shield yourself from liability by saying that you downloaded from a site that claimed they were free (it could eliminate the concept of punitive damages but doesn't eliminate the risk).
The best answer to what you can do now - is to properly license the fonts. Nearly all copyright owners just care that they're paid for their work so the fact that you obtained the license later isn't ideal, but shows you were careful, cared about licensing, and did the right thing. And in the future, whenever you download ANY font, carefully review the license terms. If there are no license terms for the font or the site that lets you download that font, you should immediately assume it's NOT a free font and maybe you don't have the legal right to use it...
@@crowdspring i also saw you commenting by other questions about outlining the font, does that make the font where you need to pay for legal to use without paying for it? or do i not understand it well? And if so, how you outline it? Sorry for all them questions but I did a lot of research already but can’t find information that clears everything up for me..
Hi, so if a font with license for personal use only can be used in a logo and deliver to a client after outlining it?
Remember that when you outline a font, it's no longer text - it becomes a graphic. And the text in the graphic cannot be changed. So, technically, after you outline a font, you can share the outlined graphic (logo) with the client. The issue is that many clients would also like to use the same font for their website or marketing materials, business cards, etc. And if a font only allows personal use, they might not be able to do so and this could limit them significantly. So the best practice is to avoid, when you can, fonts that only permit personal use.
First of all, thank you for this information! I have a question that I either missed or didn't understand: If I create a typeface using free software (font), do I own it outright, or does the software/font still claim any legal hold on it? I want to make sure that if I create it, I can use it commercially without having any obscure loopholes that would have any restrictions on how I use it. Thank you!
It's challenging to answer this question because the software you use (even if free) might have an agreement that explains ownership of fonts you create using that software. So always look at the licensing agreement for the software and pay attention to commercial vs. non-commercial use terms (they are often separately listed). Some companies release free software for non-commercial use but require you to buy a license if you want to use the software commercially.
@@crowdspring Thank you so much for your prompt response!!
Someone has sent me their artwork with some text on it in which I will use to make a t-shirt film out of, and then make shirts for them. I don't have the Gotham Book font that they use, and they did not send it to me. Am I able to use a free Gotham Book font in order to fill this order?
The answer depends on the terms of the license for the free Gotham Book font you intend to use. Some free fonts allow commercial and/or personal use. Others limit use.
Confused. So, can I use Gil Sans Ultra Bold (a Microsoft Word Font) on a T-shirt for commercial use and it be ok?
Typically, fonts included with an operating system or word processing software do not restrict your personal or commercial use when using those fonts on things like T-shirts. You can't resell that font, but you can use it for a T-shirt design and sell the T-shirt.
So does this mean, if a font is free for commercial use, I can use that font in my designs, which I intend to sell? For instance, I want to sell a mug with a printed quote on it, The quote uses a certain font that says free for commercial use. So can I use that font without any issues?
@@dylanusambot If a font is free for commercial use without any restrictions, you can use it in your designs, including your example of selling a mug with a printed quote on it. Most free for commercial use fonts don't have any restrictions but you should always see if there are any. For example, a font might be free for commercial use online in digital form but restrict the use on physical goods (but this type of restriction would be pretty unusual for a free font that allows commercial use).
Ok.thank you so much for your response..that cleared things up
even this video created 4 years ago, i appreciated your video dude. but i still want to make sure with the question. so if i get premium font online and uses it with create outline in illustrator, then i modify a little bit. so it is safe for legal issues? thankyou, great video.
for example i will use the "modify type" in my design project to sell t shirt
@@irfanzidni4642 The safest approach is to legally license a font that allows you to use that font for commercial purposes, like t-shirt design (your example). It's also the right approach because it rewards the person who designed the font for their work. Most fonts are affordable and the security that you've properly licensed something is worth far more than the time and stress in trying to run around the rules to create something that may or may not violate the law.
So, while outlining could potentially reduce legal risk, is the risk worth it?
Tried purchasing from dafont website and it wouldn't let me... any other suggestions?
Write to their support team if you haven't done so already. :) And a quick search on Google for alternatives to dafont will reveal there are dozens of other sites that sell fonts. Not all are reputable so definitely look for ones with strong reviews. But there are plenty of good alternatives.
hi..can we use fonts that are not free for commericial purposes in youtube videos
TH-cam videos are typically directly or indirectly connected to commercial purposes (for most people and organizations). If you don't have a license to use a font commercially, you cannot legally use it commercially.
First of all, thank you for the wonderful video.
First, I didn't understand this video 100 percent because English is not my first language.
These are included in the font license (desktop) purchased recently.
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You may embed static graphic images into an electronic document, including a Commercial Product, (for example, a "gif") with a representation of a typeface and typographic design or ornament created with the Font Software as long as such images are not used as a replacement for Font Software, i.e. as long as the representations do not correspond to individual glyphs of the Font Software and may not be individually addressed by the document to render such designs and ornaments.
-----
I did outline my fonts with adobe illustrator to make a logo for customers. And i want to modify? reshape? these typeshapes(not a font, right?). For example, I would like to add, divide, increase the spacing, or modify the typeface.
I would like to know if there is a license problem with this.
thank you!!
Even if English was your first language, this language is still not easy to understand.
What you've done (outline) and what you propose to do (modify, reshape, add, divide, increase spacing, etc.) are acceptable. However, if you modify the typeface (using the individual glyphs) and then try to resell it or make it available for others to use - that would not be lawful.
So - use the Font Software for your personal and commercial designs - but don't try to sell a replacement software using the same glyphs that are in the Font Software.
@@crowdspring I appreciate for your answer.
I use the font only as a design source for the logo.
I don't make or modify font software.
Is that correct that resell you mean is font software and font sources(typeface, glyph)?
I think I almost understand your answer, but if not, I ask you again for help.
Thank you.
@@user-tv2vd4tn5t Correct - if you use only for the logo, you're fine. Resell refers to the font software/typefaces and glyphs.
Thank you again for your clear answer.
You have a lot of talent, including a lot of knowledge and neat communication skill.
I hope you will make many good contents like this.
Really want to press a million ‘Like’ buttons.:)
Then, Have a good day.
What if I'm supposed to make a Flyer or Onlinebanner for a client (company) and they want me to use their corporate font/font from their design manual for text and headlines? Are they allowd to send me that font and can I then legally install it on my computer? In case my client might have licensed that font wrong or not at all and I them use the font without knowing about that problems will I get in legal trouble or the client or both of us?
Difficult to answer your question because the answer depends on the font license your client owns. Since they're hiring you specifically to create something for them, it's not unusual for them to be able to share the assets, including the font, for you to use in your work. But in such, case, you'd obviously only be able to use the font for that client and not for other work. Take a look at this free ebook (page 15-16 - assets.crowdspring.com/marketing/ebooks/crowdspring-contracts-for-designers-ebook.pdf) with a sample agreement where the client is required to represent that the materials they give you are owned by the client and they have a right to sublicense/give them to you. If you include something similar in your own agreements, you have an argument, even when a client incorrectly licensed something, that you acted in good faith at all times.
@@crowdspring Thank you so very much for that precise answer! Also thank very much for the ebook link. I will for shure take a look!
I wanted to incorporate Times New Roman into my logo. I have an Adobe purchased plan. I’m having trouble learning if I can use times new Roman or if I need to buy a license to use it in the production of merchandise
If you have an Adobe subscription, that subscription includes a sub-license to use fonts offered in that plan, for production of merchandise, among other things. You should not need to buy a separate license to "print" the font, as you would do when you produce merchandise. BUT, I don't think Times New Roman was every offered as part of the Adobe fonts library (if you see it there, then it's subject to the same license as other fonts, unless specifically excluded). But it is included with Windows and OS X, so you still would have a sub-license to use it to "print" things. Monotype owns Times New Roman.
@@crowdspring thank you for your reply! Question: would the workaround described in this video of tracing the typeface I created using times new Roman on my computer work as something I could put on merchandising?
@@RationalGaze.BingChillin Not clear why you'd need to trace if you already have the sub-license to use the font when you "print" on merchandise.
@@crowdspring great. Forgive me I’m still learning all of this. One last question. Is there generally a way to find documentation if I needed to prove that i have the sub license and that the fonts i used are included in that license?
@@RationalGaze.BingChillin The agreement for each font (or all fonts), called a EULA, should be included with the fonts. For example, licenses for Adobe software are here: www.adobe.com/legal/licenses-terms.html and licenses for fonts within Adobe programs are here: www.adobe.com/legal/terms.html
What if you just copy a font/typeface sample and use it as a logo without installing the font/typeface? Please answer my question.
Edit: Also if I bought the license for my clothing brand, is it something you have to pay every month/year or is it a one time thing?
I don't understand your first question enough to answer it properly. Concerning your second question - if you mean a license for a font/typeface - then the terms depend on the license. Some fonts are free, others are licensed for a period of time, while others have a one-time license cost.
So if i am using a font from “Dafont” for the text and logo of my clothing brand, i could potentially get sued?
Potentially, yes. As you see in the footer on Dafont, "The fonts presented on this website are their authors' property, and are either freeware, shareware, demo versions or public domain. The licence mentioned above the download button is just an indication. Please look at the readme-files in the archives or check the indicated author's website for details, and contact him/her if in doubt." Many free fonts permit commercial use. But you need to verify this by reading the specific license for the font you intend to use.
Is Typeface design able to be copyrighted in Canada?
I'm not intimately familiar with Canadian copyright law but recall that fonts can be protected in Canada, much like a design patent in the U.S. The big difference is that the period of protection is much shorter (5 years, as I recall), and you can often extend once for an additional five year period. Under Canadian law, industrial design patents appear to be more like a hybrid of patents, trademarks, and copyright law. You should talk to an attorney familiar with Canadian law if you need to copyright something in Canada.
Wouldn´t it be equally ok, (as in printing an image..) to print the screen with the logo, and then tracing that image in illustrator? (not speaking about moral, but law.. )
Printing a screen and outlining the image of the font or printing a font and outlining would appear to be similar.
It's not the same. As it was explained in this video, in the US, it is the font (computer software) that is protected by law, not the typeface (visual, artistic style). By tracing the printed letters of a certain font in Illustrator and then using it in your works, you technically don't use font, so you basically circumambulate the software protection, while the style itself is not protected in a first place.
But logo art is protected in a different way, as a whole and with all of it's artistic characteristics and visuals, like a specific arrangement of letters, colors, shapes, forms, patterns etc. It is this exact combination and symbolism of these elements that makes the logo original and which is protected. For example, it's not enough to take McDonald's logo and change the color of M to, let's say blue and the background color to green, and call it original work, because the overall resemblance to the original logo is obvious. And yes, as with many other art forms, there is no clear border where someone's work is pure plagiarism and where something is just influenced by other art pieces. That's why this issue is so complex and in a case of possible law suit, it's often hard to tell how it will end.
So if I use a font like Bookman Old Style (which came as a stock font with my laptop, but is a font that one would otherwise have to buy a license for) in a TH-cam video - then the viewers only get to see the typeface, which isn’t copyright-protected, correct? 🤔
When you use software that includes a package of fonts, the license typically allows you to use those fonts in your projects, documents, etc. So, if a stock font was included with software you licensed/purchased, you should not otherwise have to buy a separate license to us it. If you had to buy separate licenses, the included fonts would be useless.
@@crowdspring Thanks, that’s what most people would assume, too, I guess. 😉 I’ve just heard some people say that users may false assume they could simply use the fonts that came pre-included with their operating system for anything. Because if, say, the developers of Bookman Old Style asked me to prove that I have a license to use that font in a video, I wouldn’t know where to find it on my operating system.
@@cosmicprison9819 Every operating system has a software license agreement. For example, Mac Catalina: www.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/macOSCatalina.pdf Concerning fonts on a Mac, you'd need to look at Font Book/Preview/Show Font Info panel. There's a similar document for Windows OS. Also, depending on how you create the videos, the video software may also have those fonts with accompanying licenses, permitting use in videos.
@@crowdspring Thanks for the information! I usually record the presentations in PowerPoint and then edit the raw recording in Final Cut Pro.
Is this also same for youtube content?
Not clear what you're asking. TH-cam content can take many forms.
What if i make and sell a font to a dozen people and and then i happen to see it all over the Internet few years later. Given that some fonts very similar and thrn created to outlines, my question is how can I be sure that's my fonts and how can o take action of people stealing my fonts. I feel this will be a very long journey clamping everyone down stealing my work.
It can be a long journey. You'd need to put people on notice if they're violating your intellectual property rights and ultimately, to enforce those rights, you'd need to sue them. Although you can represent yourself in court, this is rarely a good idea, especially when it comes to complex areas like intellectual property law. Attorneys are expensive (although depending on the nature of the lawsuit, you may be able to find an attorney who agrees to represent you on a contingency basis, where you'd pay their fees only if you win). Most people are honest and don't steal, so on the whole, font designers are compensated for their work. But there will always be a small group that doesn't follow the law and you'll have to decide what to do about them.
@@crowdspring Thank you for the advice. Also wanted to ask if you have any insight if for example, someone used a glyph or two letters joined/stylised together which you know you created and haven't seen it elshwere on any other font. How would you tackle that? The end user coukd typically say that they made it and it just so happen to match my style lol
@@dummyemail4617 This is a tough situation because you'd have to enforce your rights. You don't have to register something with the Copyright Office to own a copyright to it (you do have to register to get statutory damages and recover attorneys fees), but obviously, it takes time and money to prove your rights if you ever have to enforce your rights. Violations of copyright are unique and factual so it's impossible to answer general questions like this. And, of course, as in all cases, suing someone doesn't mean you can recover money damages, even if you win.
What does it mean if a font on dafont.com says: free for personal but not free for commercial. I want to use a certain font to make a logo for my own startup company. And possibly use it on my business cards as well. Is it okay to do this? or do I need a license.
By definition, a startup company is in business to make money. That would make it a "commercial use". So, you cannot use that font for that purpose. If you make money ("commercial use"), then the font is not licensed for such use. Personal use would be for yourself - i.e. you use it for your personal website and you make no money from it, etc. So you'd have to get another font that allows commercial use or license that font for commercial use (if such a license is available).
@@crowdspring ok thanks, another question. What if I outline the font, can I then use it as my business logo? I've read online that you can outline it and then it doesn't count as a font which makes it possible to use it without a license.
@@EmreY25 A font designer takes time to create a font and you benefit from it when using it for commercial purposes. Given that most font licenses are really reasonable and affordable, it makes sense to compensate the designer for their work (even if outlining a font *could* potentially let you avoid having to license it).
@@crowdspring cool thanks!
If i used fonts from microsoft word or fonts came from photoshop or from corel draw.. then I design a t shirt using their fonts.. Can I be sued by copyright law?
If you use fonts included in software you purchased and own, typically those fonts are not restricted, especially when included with programs like Photoshop and Corel Draw.
can I use a font that says "free for personal use only" in my youtube banners and videos? Will I run into legal issues?
If you're using it for personal use, then it appears there are no issues with it. You mention your own banners and videos and that sounds like personal use. If you were creating this work for clients, however, then obviously that would differ from "personal use".
crowdspring perfect, thank you!! :D
I'm still confused. Sorry. If I obtain a font from a font website that says that the designer gives permission for it to be used commercially am I still ok to create a name with this font using Adobe and for this to be exported into a book folding pattern to give me the measurements to fold a book with this name. Many thanks
If the font license allows you to use the font commercially and doesn't restrict specific uses, then there's no reason you couldn't do as you suggested. Pay attention to commercial licenses as they sometimes will have quantity restrictions (i.e. you can use this font to print up to XX,XXX thousand copies of something). This is rare but does show up from time to time.
@@crowdspring thank you so much
Ty
Very informative video. Is it ok to use freely available espn font (SF Sports Night)for designing my compnay logo? my businessn name is ECOBLINDS. My business logo will be ECOBLINDS in ESPN font. Thanks
Don't confuse a font that's "freely available" with one that's free to use for commercial purposes. The fact that you can download a font from many places doesn't mean the font is legally offered for use or that you can use it however you want. Free fonts are often limited for personal use only (not for commercial use). If it's a free font, available for personal and commercial use, and there are no restrictions on use for brand identity, then you can use it. Otherwise, be careful and look for something else.
@@crowdspring Thank your for the guidance. I highly appreciate that. Regards
I'm making a logo for my band. If I outline the font changing the spacing and shape, will that be fine? thanks for the video and article btw :)
You'll hear me talk about this in the video. Outlining the font and creating a vectorized version of it is the proper way to create a logo (both for flexibility and to avoid any copyright issues).
@@crowdspring Ok, but what if we only adjust the very corners of a font by rounding them from sharp ones to round, but only a little that you'd only notice if you zoomed way in at it?
@@ExpressShirtself Font licenses will tell you if you can manipulate the font. Most licenses don't restrict this as long as you don't sell the font itself after you've changed it. In fact, this is very common - you'll see many logotypes created from tweaked fonts.
@@crowdspring It's just very gray area for the judge in court is my point. lol smh
Here's an example of a vague description of allowance. It doesn't say NOT for commercial use/NOT allowed to alter the font/etc etc unless we you purchase license and so on. However,...
"Font Info
license: Free for Personal Use
designer: OPTIFONT
website: opti.netii.net/
font tags: sans serif"
And they never offer a user-friendly/easy-to-find contact info just in case customers have questions!
how do i know if a small business has appropriately obtained the licenses for a font it uses?
is it okay for me to view the content of that business without knowing?
I am not sure what you mean by your last statement. If you're asking whether you can get in trouble for reading content created by someone else when that other person or business may have violated the copyright of another person - than I'm not aware of any cases or law (at least in the United States) that would punish the person or company reading that content. The truth is that few businesses would be able to answer the question where they obtained (or even whether they obtained) a license for a font they use. But you can always ask them.
so we're potentially walking through a plethora of font-related copyright infringement on the Internet, even if we only visit "normal" websites?
so maybe like there is "fair use" for content creators, is there such a thing as "fair viewing" for consumers?
"acquittal" for viewing content that a consumer could not easily ascertain was infringed
So basically, all I have to do to avoid legal issues is select the font in illustrator and expand object?
It's not clear to me what you're asking. See my response to Justin Pugh (immediately below). Perhaps that addresses your question.
In that case:
when I design a logo, can I use a premium typeface from myfonts.com without any modifications, turn it into outlines and inform the client it is premium typeface that need to be purechased if he wish to edit the logo in any way.
Does that protect the logo from any law?
Once converted to outlines, the shapes of letterforms can be altered to produced customized typography. So, the client can continue modifying the outline without the need to purchase the underlying fonts. But the client could not alter the fonts themselves or use them to make new fonts, which isn't an issue here since you're talking only about modifying the outline.
One thing to keep in mind - clients will often want to use the font in their logo in other places (for marketing copy, etc.). It's a good practice to tell the client what font you used and to give them a link to a reputable place where they could buy it if they need it.
ty for the quick reply man! @crowdSPRING
so look, Google want me to design their logo.
I use the "Helvetica" font in an outlined form, with no changes applied, as is.
Will google/me get sued tomorrow?
Remember that you will need a properly licensed font and the license must allow commercial use. So if you license the Helvetica font and then turn it into an outline, you can provide it to the client and the client would not need the underlying font if they later want to continue to make changes to the (outlined) logo.
This is what I conclude: since I am a designer, I submit the project using some fonts and the client buys the fonts if the project is approved. So, the fonts belongs to the client. And I am not allowed to use these fonts for others clients who do not purchase the fonts, including me and my personal and professional projects.
If I (designer) buy the fonts for myself and send only vectorized files to the clients, I will be allowed to use these fonts on all different projects of different clients, but I assume that every client must be the owner of the fonts of his communication system so he is always allowed to use these fonts in his whole communication system (website, marketing materials, etc.) in any purpose he wants without depending on the designer who made his communication system.
If the client wants only the logo (bad decision, because the logo is not the same as the visual identity/communication system) and he doesn't intend to use these fonts used in the logo for other purposes, that's fine ... But if someday he decides to use these fonts used in logo, he needs to buy these fonts or contract the designer who made the logo (and the client is going to receive only vectorized files).
And that client should use free fonts as standard fonts of his business if he does not want to purchase fonts for this purpose.
Am I right to think that way?
Thanks for the great video and support!
All good questions.
If the client buys the fonts, they buy it for their own use (and can ask you to work with those fonts to design the work for them). But since you didn't buy them for your use, you are not legally allowed to continue using them for your own personal and professional projects (unless you also license them).
Concerning the second and third questions - also correct. If you send vectorized files to the client (like you always should for a logo design, for example), then the client can use the logo design without buying the font BUT if the client wants to use the font elsewhere (like website, marketing materials, etc.) they'll need to license the font for such use (if they don't already have such a license).
Always caution your client to be careful with free fonts. There are two main problems with them.
First, many free fonts don't feature everything you'll need - compare the quality of the font family in a free font to commercial fonts. But of course, there are exceptions. Some free fonts are terrific.
Second, many free fonts don't permit commercial use (most do have license terms so you can determine whether commercial use is allowed by reading the license).
For most clients, the first problem will be more important because it will limit the things they may want to do with the font. Font prices are not unreasonable - it's always a good idea to license the font properly.
great. Thanks a lot!
can i use Pre-installed fonts that comes with IOS apps and can i download fonts from dafonts.com (not free fonts) and
use them in my TH-cam channel tutorial videos and thumbnails?,
kindly let me know will it create any issue for monetization or in future.
Fonts that come preinstalled with design apps, for example, are typically fine to use. You'll want to check the license agreement to be certain. Commercial fonts (those that are not free) are generally NOT permitted to be used unless you properly obtain (and pay for) a license for each font you intend to use. There are many free fonts (available for commercial use too) that are quite good but if you are going to use a commercial font from a font foundry, pay the fee and avoid the risk. More importantly, you want to be sure the font designer is properly paid for creating the font...
Thanks a lot for clear detailed information 😊 well explained 👍
How do you license a font, a logo all the above. For me I just draw the image and the letters how do I make sure my work is legit.
If you're drawing it and it's 100% original work, you're not using existing fonts or images so licensing should not be an issue for you. If you're using fonts, then you need to be sure that the font you use allows you to use that font in the way that you're using it (i.e. for designs you sell to others and/or use commercially if that's how you use it). Ultimately, font licenses are not very expensive and if this is how you make a living, you should consider investing in high-quality fonts. There are tons of good free fonts available, and those will work in some cases, but there are plenty of situations where designs can benefit from a quality commercial font (especially if the same font will be using in marketing materials, on a website, etc. - uses that many clients have to consider when creating a logo).
crowdspring thanks for the prompt reply
Hello, I have a few questions regarding this topic.
1. I buy the license for Helvetica Bold weight. After a week I get contacted by a customer name XCOMPANY and they want a logo. I type XCOMPANY using Helvetica Bold and turn it into outlines and send it to him. Is this a healthy and legal practice? Can I do that?
2. I download a free font which is usable for personal and comercial use, I type XCOMPANY using that font and turn it into outlines then send it to the customer. Is this okay and legal?
3. I buy the license for Futura Bold, type XCOMPANY using it then do small changes to it and send it in outline to the customer. Is this okay?
4. I download a free sample of an expensive font, for example Futura Bold, make a logo using it and I post it on my social media without selling it in any way, just a personal project. Is this okay and legal?
Narcis, here are the answers to your questions (smart questions, by the way):
1. Yes, perfectly fine for you to use your licensed Helvetica Bold font to create a logo, turn it into outlines and vectorize it, and send to your customer. This is how it should be done.
2. This too is okay.
3. This is, in the vast majority of cases, okay. The exception is where a font licence prohibits modifications. I don't recall seeing a license like that, but I suspect one or several could exist. Most licenses allow you to modify and as you know, many logotypes (including crowdspring's logo) modify the letters.
4. Hard to answer this question because many fonts permit personal use, although in this case, you are asking about a paid font which you haven't purchased. Typically, if you use a paid font without buying it for a personal or commercial project, you're infringing on the rights of the person who created that font. So, generally, it's not okay to use a paid font without paying for it, and it doesn't matter whether the use is personal or commercial. Particuarly since in this case, you're using it in social media in part, presumably, to promote your design services.
crowdspring Awesome, finally some answers! Thank you very much for making my life easier. Much appreciated!!
So if i buy a font and use it with 100% original artwork, can i still trademark it?
Whether or not you can trademark something depends on trademark law. But, if you buy a font that allows you to use the font commercially (trademark law requires use in commerce), then the license doesn't restrict your right to obtain a trademark.
www.fonts.com/en/font/microsoft-corporation/trebuchet-ms/bold-italic
If i buy that i can use this legally for print on demand products, right?
and for a logo too?
Thanks for the good video!
We can't give you specific legal advice but you should read www.fonts.com/font/microsoft-corporation/trebuchet-ms/licenses to understand the rights and limitations of the license (and if it's unclear, write to fonts.com and ask for clarification, since they seem to be representing Microsoft in licensing these fonts).
@@crowdspring I read it and on my opinon it should be fine when i print in on products like shirts, or not? ^^
Such gray area here. I've googled if certain fonts are copyrighted and they never have answers nor here. I wanna know where to find the answers to which fonts are not copyrighted, damn it! lol smh
If a font is included with commercial software you purchase, the software will include terms for using that font. If you download a font from a font site/foundry, you'll see the terms of use.
There's little benefit to "googling" whether a font is protected because there's simply too much noise and wrong information. The easiest way to not run afoul of the law is to make sure you always look at the license before using a new font, so that you know whether there are any limitations, and what those limitations are.
@@crowdspring Ok, thx. Now, after downloading a few fonts, the interesting more original ones either want you to pay for them if used commercially and ones like New Boston Condensed only say "sharefonts.net" on the text file title it comes with and once I open it, "Free download fonts at sharefonts.net"
This is, again, vague. It doesn't say anything about allowing of commercial use. :/
Does my client need a license for a font if I make them a logo?
Assuming you had a legal right to use that font, you vectorize the logo properly and they just need to use the logo that you created, the answer is NO. Some clients do want to use the same font for other things like business cards, marketing materials, their website, etc. And in that case, they would need to have a license to use for those other purposes.
Good morning I have a question. Here is what the licensing says for the company I want to buy this font from:
Desktop
This popular License grants user the right to install OpenType (OTF) or TrueType (TTF) Font Software on a desktop computer or laptop to design and distribute personal or commercial typographical designs including but not limited to signage, logos, branding, artwork, movie titles and credits, brochures, layouts, greeting cards, etc. and products such as mugs, package design, letterform alphabet products, rubber stamps, stencil products, T-shirts, etc., for any surface or screen. Designs using desktop fonts must be delivered as a static, non-editable, and read-only file such as a JPG, SVG, or EPS, etc. Fonts cannot be embedded under this License. The number of fonts and Users to be licensed can be entered in the Shopping Cart for a License fee.
Key Licensing factor(s): No. of Users per font.
Term: Perpetual unless original key licensing factors change. Other uses for the Font Software may require a License Upgrade.
Is this stating that I can use this font I want to purchase for to use on t shirts I want to sell to consumers? I want to make sure I’m reading this right and not going to be sued. I like this font but I don’t want to pay for something that I can’t use it for what’s it intended for. Thank you
Yes - the license gives you the right to use on t-shirts you want to sell to consumers (provided you follow the terms of the license and of course, purchase it).
Thank you for your help and understanding
Can i use a font on a sign i make to sell? This is insane. I am trying to start a small business making signs and was wondering can i use fonts on my signs or do i have to pay for those fonts?
It depends on what software you use to create the signs. Design programs come with pre-loaded fonts that are licensed for a variety of uses (such as on signs, for example). But if you want to use a font that's not pre-installed and that font has limitations under the license agreement, you need to either purchase the font from a font foundry (to legally use it) or review the license to understand the uses that are permitted (even free fonts sometimes contain restrictions).
@@crowdspring unbelievable!! Humans actually have rights to lettering now!! lol That is insane.. what greed! How is inventing a certain way to write letters become a business?? lol I had no idea. I was making my signs and would have sold them not knowing i couldn't use somones font! GREED!
@@crowdspring Thank you very much for the info.. God bless.
How much can you distort or change a font in order to protect yourself from being sued?
It's not possible to accurately answer that question and the answer, in any event, would depend on the specific facts. Fonts are typically very affordable and particularly when you're getting paid for work that includes such fonts, you should do the right thing and properly license the fonts. After all, someone worked hard to create them and deserves to be compensated for that work.
If you outline the font in the finished product, then this should not be an issue, but if you're asking about changing fonts and using them without a license, see paragraph 1 of my answer.
Thank you
@@crowdspring
1. What do you mean by outline?
2. What if you distort the font, but it's still recognizable? Like if we took w/e the netflix font name is, download it and distort it to look like the netflix font, but change the name at the same time of their logo? That way the font owner can't claim it's theirs since it's distorted AND NETFLIX can't sue since it doesn't say netflix. Huuuhhh? ;)
@@ExpressShirtself There are many videos and tutorials on outlining fonts. Here's one: th-cam.com/video/dz6P94HoZnc/w-d-xo.html
Distorting a font isn't generally prohibited if you're using the letters for a logo or for a specific purpose. In that case, you're distorting the specific use of letters in your design, but not the font. But you cannot lawfully take a font, distort it, and then sell it or make it available for free - those would violate most font license agreements.
Finally, companies can sue for trademark infringement if the trademark is confusing and/or causes people to be confused about the origin/owner of the trademark. This is also not a good practice because you don't create a strong brand identity when your logo is confusing or not properly readable.
@@crowdspring
I'm getting an idea of what you're saying. However, here's what my piece looks like to clear up the night sky on what I'm talking about. Do lemme know your judgements as far as copyright.
teespring.com/-QUARANTINE-FLIX
So can i use two letters off the Coca Cola typeface in my own logo brand or will i be handed a big fat lawsuit from Coca Cola?
More than just the typeface is at issue here. People have created fonts and typefaces based on the CC one (Loki Cola, for example). And remember that many typefaces can have similar and even identical elements. You should consult a lawyer if you're seriously considering doing this. For example, if consumers are confused into believing your company or it's products/services are affiliated or endorsed by Coca Cola, then you might run into trademark infringement issues.
Thank you for your fast reply and clarification. I will get in touch with my lawyer or work with my graphic designer for something similar or something completely new as i am flowing with ideas. :) Thanks again!
how would someone even know if you're using their font? Like if someone sold shoes and used a font for a shoe box will they just be a geek and look it up...
If a person spent many hours creating a custom font, they will know every intricate detail and will be able to recognize their font. Although some fonts look similar, most fonts have unique elements that distinguish them (especially to the person that created the font).
crowdspring understandable they should it’s their font, although it’s not popular for someone to make a complaint right? Segeo ui is on illustrator 2018... can I use that font for commercial use even if Microsoft copyrights it? I thought every font that comes with illustrator is free?
@@taineesteps According to Adobe's terms, Adobe's standard font licensing agreement allows for personal and commercial use (www.adobe.com/products/type/font-licensing/licensing-faq.html). However, keep in mind that this applies to fonts that come with Illustrator. If you add any fonts to your OS, those fonts are governed by separate license terms (you'd need to review the terms for the Segeo font to answer your question). Segeo is a font owned by Microsoft and I don't believe installed with any Adobe products normally.
Can someone make a trademarked logo out of the letter c in Coca Cola?
Using one letter and a different name (that doesn't look or sound like Coca Cola) should generally avoid trademark issues (the test is whether consumers are likely to confuse the origin (why made them) of the products and/or services, so if the logos aren't identical or similar, you're generally OK). In fact, the letter "C" in Coca Cola is based on an old script font and a similar font is available here: fontmeme.com/fonts/coca-cola-ii-font/
All i hear with all these videos about copyright and using designs is, "Sort of" "Maybe" "Yes and No" Nobody seems to freakin know the answer and am getting frustrated.
Sooooooo ........basicallyyyyyyyyy..........????
What a useless law that kills creativity
how relevant is this now in 2023? lol \
Randy, why do you think this is less relevant in 2023? Copyright and trademark laws have not changed.