Everything You Need to Know About Web Font Licensing
When purchasing a web font license, it’s essential to understand what’s included in your rights and responsibilities. Web fonts are designed for embedding on websites to ensure your text looks crisp and beautiful across browsers. In this post, we break down the terms of a typical web font license agreement and what they mean for your online projects.
What is a Web Font License?
A web font license grants you the right to use the font on your website by embedding it via CSS. The font will be displayed on your website’s pages and across your domain(s), ensuring a consistent brand presence online. Unlike desktop fonts, web fonts are optimized for use in web environments and often come with their own set of terms.
Permitted Uses
With a web font license, you can:
- Embed on Your Website: The font can be embedded using @font-face CSS for your website, making it available for display purposes across your domain.
- Page View Limits: The license covers website traffic up to the specified page view limit at purchase. If your usage exceeds this limit, an upgrade or custom license (get quote) will be required.
- Use in Custom Designs: The font can be used for static, non-editable content like headlines, body text, and other design elements on your website.
Restrictions to Keep in Mind
As with any font license, there are certain restrictions to ensure that the font is used correctly:
- No Redistribution or Resale: You are prohibited from reselling, sublicensing, or redistributing the font file in any form.
- No Font Modifications: The font must not be modified or converted into other formats without additional licensing.
- Restricted Use for Apps and ePub: This web font license only covers use on websites. For mobile apps, games, or ePub publishing, a separate license is required.
- Domain-Specific Usage: The font can only be used on the domains you specified when purchasing the license. If you want to use the font on additional domains, you will need to purchase additional licenses.
Ownership and Intellectual Property
As with desktop fonts, the web font remains the intellectual property of the type foundry. The license grants you the right to use the font in your specified context, but you do not own the font or its design.
Warranty and Liability
Fonts are generally provided "as is," without any warranties or guarantees. The font foundry is not liable for any damages or legal issues arising from the misuse or unauthorized distribution of the font.
Termination of License
If you breach any terms of the agreement, the license will automatically terminate. Upon termination, you must delete all copies of the font from your systems and discontinue its use immediately.
Governing Law
The license agreement is governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Australia. By purchasing and using the font, you agree to resolve any disputes under this legal framework.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your web font license is crucial to ensuring that you use the font within the specified terms. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and functionality of your chosen font while respecting the rights of the creator. If at any point you’re uncertain whether your planned usage fits within this license, please reach out to us. Happy web designing!