font copyrights?

[thomsbrain]

If a font is copyrighted, does that only mean that the font files themselves cannot be distributed without permission of the owner, or does it also mean that the font cannot be USED in the public domain without permission of the owner?

In other words, can you use a copyrighted font on packaging for item that is to be sold for profit or a poster or something like that, without getting permission?

 

[Mickey Eye]

You cant distribute the font files, you can use it in any way you want.. otherwise what would the point be? Most free fonts require that if you do distribute the files you also include the license file.

 

[thomsbrain]

yeah, i see there are provisions for "design copyrights" that makes it so you can't use designs on things for sale, but they require that you use a "D" symbol instead of the "C" i see in all my font files.

 

[Mickey Eye]

Where are you buying these from?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
In other words, can you use a copyrighted font on packaging for item that is to be sold for profit or a poster or something like that, without getting permission?

Yes, as long as you have a legal copy of the font. Most good fonts are sold, and if you find a copy on the web it's warez.

 

[thomsbrain]

let's just say it magically appeared in my font directory. honestly, i can't remember where it came from specifically, because i have over 1,000 fonts on my computer that i've been accumulating for years now.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
let's just say it magically appeared in my font directory. honestly, i can't remember where it came from specifically, because i have over 1,000 fonts on my computer that i've been accumulating for years now.

Nobody's REALLY checking. Unless you're going ZOMGNATIONALWTFBBQHAT with it in your primary logo or something, nobody's going to audit your licensing of it. Chances are it was included with some software or something, lord knows that's where all of mine come from.

 

[coolVariable]

American Airlines .... American Apparel .... take a look at their "font" logos