Many of us are intrigued by the idea of free fonts. However, the reality can be a little complicated. For example, if you use a free font on a client’s project, you want to be sure that the use is legal. There’s nothing worse than a type foundry calling your client with the news that the font wasn’t licensed for commercial use.
Yves Peters has written a handy guide to keep you on the right side of the law. Called “Licensing 101,” the guide is distributed by FontShop as a PDF.
Here are some of the topics you’ll learn about:
• Why are fonts licensed, and what exactly does that mean?
• Is it OK to use fonts bundled with software or hardware?
• Is it OK to use freeware fonts for commercial projects?
• Is it OK to use shareware fonts for commercial projects?
• Why do foundries give away some weights of commercial fonts? Can I use them for commercial projects?
The guide also includes links to FontShop’s collection of free fonts, which you can use on any kind of project and which never expire. Download “Licensing 101” here.
This article was last modified on June 19, 2020
This article was first published on January 30, 2012
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Don’t Commit the Type Crime of Applying Faux Italic in Microsoft Word
In an earlier essay on Typographic Discipline I discussed apostrophes and quotat...
Boston Public Library treasures abound on Flickr
Public libraries, like museums, hold vast collections of art and design work. Un...
TypeTalk: Kerning Principles
TypeTalk is a regular blog on typography. Post your questions and comments by cl...