First of All, I do not know where should I post this topic. If it is wrong forum, I am sorry.
This is my first time to make the game for sale.
I heard about font license but I am not sure that… Is it ok for me to use the microsoft basic fonts for my game?
On the website(Eg. Monotype Imaging Inc. (USA)), did not show the price and just ask me to send e-mail.
What should I do?
[import]uid: 65906 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 317309[/import]
This is a very complex question with not so easy answers.
Microsoft Fonts can be used on a website in the CSS font-family tag, but you cannot legally upload Microsoft fonts to your webserver for use with font-face. The assumption is for websites at least is that the core MS fonts are going to be on most everyone’s computer.
In your CSS you can do a font stack like this:
body {
font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;
} when your reader’s browsers hit that CSS, it will check their computer to see if they have Arial. If they do, the browser will render the text using Arial. If not it falls back to Helvetica and if it can’t find Helvetica, it will then use whatever the browser’s default san-serif font is.
Now as far as your game goes, fonts carry different licenses. Each font making company/individual (Foundry) has their own licenses. You can safely bet any font that is native to the Operating System (Windows or Mac OSX), fonts provided by Adobe, or installed as part of Microsoft Office ARE NOT allowed to be included in your app. Does that mean you can’t use Helvetica on an iOS app. Sure you can. Helvetica is a default device font. Can you install Helvetica in your Android app because your device DOES NOT have helvetica? No you cannot.
See the difference between distribution of a font and using a font?
Now the good news is there are many free fonts available to use that you can distribute and use with your app. You can also use these to upload to your website for use with the @font-face tag in the CSS.
Of course each font, free or not has an individual license and you need to do your due diligence to make sure you’re using fonts that are legal to distribute.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65466[/import]
Additionally, you could try searching for open-source and free fonts on the internet. Most free font sites allow you to download fonts, and have a license text file attached explaining what you can and cannot do with the fonts.
With open source fonts, you’ll also want to read the terms of the license, but usually there is a way you can use them, and there are tons of viable alternatives to commercial fonts if you don’t want to have to pay for anything. [import]uid: 52430 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65492[/import]
An excellent site for really free for commercial use fonts: http://www.fontsquirrel.com/ [import]uid: 44010 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65516[/import]
Thank you for your answers.
I have a few more question.
If I make an image with has text inside the image,
Do I need to have license to do that? Is it also called distribution the font?
According to your answer, it seems that you referred to text input/ text output in App.
@r.pudlowski
Thank you for your link. If I use the font from this link, everything is safe?
Sorry for silly question, I am kind of nervous.
Thanks [import]uid: 65906 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65582[/import]
even if you make an image with text, you must have the font licence.
As for fontsquirell, it’s 100% safe 
[import]uid: 44010 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65621[/import]
Most fonts are okay with you making an image using their font. After all, if they didn’t you really couldn’t use the font at all. But there may be an odd font here and there that has that restriction.
Distribution is putting the whole .ttf or .otf font file in your project or uploading the font file to your web server.
One thing to watch out for free fonts. Some will be free for personal use and not commercial. Some may want a link on your website or credits in your app. Make sure to read the requirements of the font before using it.
If you put a totally free app up (no in-app purchases, no ads) then you might be able to be considered personal use, since your not making any money off of it, but if you make any money you become a commercial use and you fall under those rules.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65648[/import]
Thanks everyone.
I think about to use the font which has Open Font License (OFL) . I think it is safe, am I right? [import]uid: 65906 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65651[/import]
After reading the OFL license, you should be good to use it. [import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65653[/import]
Thanks, I feel relieved
[import]uid: 65906 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 65660[/import]
I’ve licensed fonts before so I can offer some insight. You need to read the EULA to see exactly what you can and can’t do with the fonts. Most EULAs for commercial fonts, including Microsoft fonts, are provided with a workstation license. So that means you can use the fonts on your workstation but if you want to distribute the fonts in a hardware or software product you need an extended license. If you want to use the fonts on a server you would need an additional license for that use as well.
The term “embedding” in Microsoft’s EULA typically refers to embedding the fonts in a document to enable document portability - like when you create a Word document and want to send it to someone so they can view it the same font. The Microsoft EULA typically prohibits the use of fonts in a commercial product. You would need an additional license for that use. Microsoft has a specific site on font licensing:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/default.mspx
With “free fonts” you need to make sure you know the origin of the font. A lot of “free” fonts are just derivatives of commercial fonts that have been renamed. Using a derivative work of someone’s intellectual property could put your product at risk. [import]uid: 103671 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 67065[/import]
I’ve licensed fonts before so I can offer some insight. You need to read the EULA to see exactly what you can and can’t do with the fonts. Most EULAs for commercial fonts, including Microsoft fonts, are provided with a workstation license. So that means you can use the fonts on your workstation but if you want to distribute the fonts in a hardware or software product you need an extended license. If you want to use the fonts on a server you would need an additional license for that use as well.
The term “embedding” in Microsoft’s EULA typically refers to embedding the fonts in a document to enable document portability - like when you create a Word document and want to send it to someone so they can view it the same font. The Microsoft EULA typically prohibits the use of fonts in a commercial product. You would need an additional license for that use. Microsoft has a specific site on font licensing:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/default.mspx
With “free fonts” you need to make sure you know the origin of the font. A lot of “free” fonts are just derivatives of commercial fonts that have been renamed. Using a derivative work of someone’s intellectual property could put your product at risk. [import]uid: 103671 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 67067[/import]
@sjk1210 thanks for your information
About OFL license, is not safe enough?
I planned to use OFL license font and native fonts for my project. I will not embedding or pack any fonts to my app.
“Derivatives of commercial fonts that have been renamed” which is you said , is what I am afraid of…
I wonder what is the punishment for the mistake/misunderstood about license stuff.
I googled but still do not find what I want to know.
Does it depend on country?
Should I find some software to make my own original font?? So panic! [import]uid: 65906 topic_id: 17309 reply_id: 67275[/import]