Typedepot

What is a Font License?

- In its essence, a font license is a legal agreement between a type foundry and a client that allows the latter to use a font under certain, pre-agreed conditions. It is also known as an End User License Agreement, or EULA.

Why does it matter?

- Just like any work of art, fonts are intellectual property and as such, are protected by certain rights, especially with regard to their creators and the manner in which they are deployed. Using the wrong license can cost your company a lot of resources, while foregoing the license altogether can bring you some serious legal trouble.

What sort of licences are there, and do I need separate ones for different uses?

- There are several types of licences, but the major ones include Desktop (for use on a personal computer), Web (for embedding into a website or an e-mail client), ePub (for digital books), Server (for use with web- or cloud-based services) and Embedded (for physical products, such as cash registers, medical machinery, automobiles and others). Each licence represents a particular use of a font, and going outside the legally defined boundaries will likely lead to a lawsuit - you cannot, for example, buy a Desktop license and then use it on your website.

Is there a limit to what I can do with a single License?

- Yes, most agreements include a specific number of ‘workstations’ (or computers) which are allowed to use the font in question. If your company is on the larger side, you have several options - either mention that in the EULA and strike a deal with the type studio, or purchase additional ‘seats’ at a later time.

I have more questions, where can I find some answers?

- Licensing can be tricky, so feel free to get in touch with us via contacts@typedepot.com and we will be more than happy to help!