A Beginner’s Guide to Font Licensing

Did you know you need permission to use most fonts?

Fonts are everywhere, from the text on your favorite blog to the letters on a billboard. Whether you're a designer, a business owner, or someone who loves typography, learning font licensing protects type designers' rights and avoids legal issues for your projects. This guide will walk you through the basics of font licensing and help you learn the complexities of using fonts legally.

What is a Font?

A font is a set of characters characterized by size and style type. Fonts come in various styles and are used to evoke a specific kind of message or emotion. Whether you want to transmit an elegant professional message with Times New Roman or use Nickanley font for a lighter look, fonts are perfect for promoting brand awareness in your company. For more information on typography tips and the psychological meaning behind fonts, check out our guide on choosing the ideal font.

Why Fonts Need Licenses

Like software, music, or movies, fonts count as intellectual property owned by typography designers and foundries that own their rights. To use a specific font, you need to get font licensing, a legal agreement for font creators to be compensated for their work. Font licensing also ensures you can legally use the typeface in your projects. The terms of a license can vary significantly depending on the font's intended use, such as the number of users, the number of devices on which the font can be installed, and the extent of its usage in various media.

Types of Font Licenses

• Desktop license: a one-time-purchase license that allows a user to download a font on a desktop to use in word processors or design software like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign, among others.
• Webfont license: permits using a font on a personal or company website. The number of page views or visitors per month generally measures the cost.
• eBook license: this license is primarily for eBooks, and the cost depends on the number of copies sold.
• App license: this allows you to use a font in a mobile or desktop app and is usually priced based on the number of app installations or users.
• Server license: this license works primarily for images and PDFs and is priced based on server usage.

What Are the Best Places to Find Fonts?

Several websites offer a wide range of fonts, both free and paid. Here are some popular ones:

• Google Fonts: Google offers a vast collection of open-source fonts, including Robot, Montserrat, and Open Sans, which are free to use.
• Adobe Fonts: Adobe Creative Cloud offers subscribers a wide range of fonts, including thousands of professional options for desktops and websites
• Font Squirrel: this website provides free fonts licensed for commercial use. Each font page includes licensing details to ensure the font follows usage terms.
• DaFont: a popular site for free fonts, though many are only for personal use; always check the licensing information provided by the font designer.

Other Legal Considerations for Font Use

• Free vs. paid fonts: free fonts can be great for personal projects, but commercial use often requires a paid license.
• Embedding fonts: if you plan to embed fonts in apps, websites, or digital products, ensure you have the correct license. Using a desktop license for web or app embedding can lead to legal issues.
• Modifying fonts: some licenses allow font modification, while others do not. Check the terms if you plan to customize a font.
• Redistributing fonts: generally, you can't redistribute fonts. Instead, direct others to the source where they can obtain their license.

Do Font Licenses Expire?

Font licenses typically do not expire; they are usually sold as perpetual licenses. This means once you purchase a font license, you can use it indefinitely under the terms agreed upon at purchase. It is essential to review the following terms at the time of using or purchasing a font:

• One-time-purchase fonts: many desktop and web font licenses are one-time purchases. Once bought, you can use the font indefinitely under the terms of the license.
• Subscription-based: some licenses, especially for web fonts or through services like Adobe Fonts, are subscription-based and must be renewed periodically.
• Renewal conditions: licenses tied to usage metrics (e.g., web traffic) may require renewal if you exceed the initial terms.

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