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Font licensing can be complex and boring!
At Monotype Imaging, we are working to make life simpler. Our Eight Golden Rules of font licensing simplify the basic principles of font licensing to guide you.
- Font software is licensed, not purchased. You license font software for limited use from
the type designer or foundry that supplies it.
- Licence is granted in the form of an End User Licence Agreement (EULA) based on the number
of computers with access to the font software. Licence terms vary from foundry to foundry, so
check carefully.
- Most EULAs do not allow you to make copies of or distribute font software to another
organisation or individual who does not have their own licence to use it. This, for example,
includes service bureaux, design agencies, PR companies, advertising agencies and printers.
In summary, anyone using font software must have a licence.
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- Most foundries grant a limited licence to embed font software into documents for viewing
and printing purposes only. Some foundries also place restrictions on the types of documents
into which fonts may be embedded, for example personal or internal business documents only and
not commercial products (examples of commercial products include e-books, e-periodicals and
subscription e-newsletters or e-reports).
- A separate licence is typically required to embed font software in an editable format
into documents or Web pages.
- Most font software typically cannot be altered in any way without permission from the
foundry.
- Your company will be liable if you lend or give font software to others to use without
a licence.
- If you have any doubts about your company's licensing position, please contact your font
supplier or type foundry.
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