Question On Commercial Use Of Fonts

[jeanineb]

Hi all you wonderfully talented people!

Just wondering about commercial useage of fonts. I noticed that some of the kits from DSP have wordart and titles in them with a read me file for font names. Do you have to get a license from these font creators to sell an item with that font? If yes, what sites do you get these fonts from? I know I have one kit that uses lettering delights fonts, but I looked at their user agreement and it mentions you can't use their fonts for anything for sale. So I am confused on how this works. Are there fonts you can use in products for sale that do not require you purchase them? In other words, are there free fonts you can use for commercial purposes? Hmmm... obviously I am very new with this stuff!

Any help would be so much appreciated! Thank you!

[Kristen]

I'm dealing with the same questions, so I don't have a definitive answer. But this is what I've found so far.

You have to check the readme file for each font. Some of them are very clear - personal use only. Some will allow commercial use if they get a copy of whatever you're creating or for a small fee. Some of them say - use it for whatever you want (a very few say this nice and clearly - commercial use permitted.) And some few say - use it however you like, do what you want with it, alter it, share it, just give me credit for the original.

And far too many don't even have a readme file, or don't say anything that can be clearly interpreted as permission for commercial use.

I don't know of a site that links only to free fonts that are available for commercial use - or that plainly labels them as such.

I've just about got all my current fonts printed and sorted and I'm in the process of color-coding them for commercial and personal-only use. I'll share my list when I have it.

I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's replies to this thread.

[Lauren]

I know that here at DSP we have to have specific written instruction from the font foundries in order to use their fonts for commercial use - Many fonts are free for download but not free for commercial use - Its a matter of emailing the font creator and asking them - tedious - but necessary.

[jeanineb]

I've just about got all my current fonts printed and sorted and I'm in the process of color-coding them for commercial and personal-only use. I'll share my list when I have it.

Thanks so much Kristen! I would love it if you wouldn't mind sharing this list! You can pm me here or email me at jeanineb@comcast.net. Thanks so much!

And thank you also Lauren for responding - I have tried to email some of the creators, or check their websites, and the links are broken or the email address is not valid. So, I guess safest thing is to not use the font in that case!

Thanks again!

[Betsy]

When you do find commercial use fonts (either freebies or ones you've decided to purchase a license to), you can use The Font Thing to organize your fonts - that way you can have all yor commercial fonts in one place and not be tempted to use others!

[andyapc]

How about all of the fonts that come with Microsoft Word? Are they OK to use for commercial use, or do we have to contact Microsoft for permission?

Also, I've downloaded so many fonts, that I can't figure out which ones originally came with Word - is there a way to determine this, or is there a list somewhere?

[Margie]

unfortunately you need to read thru the terms on microsoft (and all the other) sites. many times they state it obviously, sometimes it's hard to know what they mean and you have to just ask, and sometimes they don't or you can't find it so you have to ask. it's not an easy process, but it's necessary. and please don't rely on a list someone else has compiled (except sites that state it's allowed in their terms posted of course), but each company or individual needs to get permission. we keep a database of those we're allowed to use along with the credits we have to give them. some want just their name, some want links, etc.
and about ms fonts, i'm sure you can google lists of fonts that come with different programs. might be on their site as well. and fontseek.com will usually find any font and help you determine who made it if you can't find it. hth. :)