Licensing 101
License
Do’s
Don’ts
Options
Desktop
Standard Desktop License
Install the font on your computer to create designs for print or static digital images, such as logos, packaging, and marketing materials. The desktop license is always perpetual.
Do’s
Don’ts
Web
Standard Web License
The web license enables you to embed the font into your website through CSS, ensuring that visitors see your intended typography without needing to install the font themselves. It’s optimised for online performance and the usage limits are based on monthly pageviews. Annual and Perpetual options are available.
Do’s
Don’ts
App
Standard App License
With the app license, you can integrate the font into mobile applications across different platforms like iOS and Android. It ensures that your in-app text and user interface maintain a consistent, branded look throughout the app experience. Annual and Perpetual options are available.
Do’s
Don’ts
Server
Standard Server License
For web and print on demand apps.
Do’s
Don’ts
Epub
Standard Epub License
This license is tailored for digital publishing, allowing you to embed fonts into eBooks and other ePublishing formats. It ensures your typography remains intact and visually appealing across various e-readers and digital devices. Annual and Perpetual options are available.
Do’s
Don’ts
Digital-ads
Standard Digital-ads License
The digital ads license permits you to use the font in HTML5-based ads, ensuring your ad campaigns have a consistent, on-brand appearance. It’s designed to handle the dynamic and interactive nature of digital advertising while maintaining optimal performance across devices. Annual and Perpetual options are available.
Do’s
Don’ts
Broadcasting
Standard Broadcasting License
Do’s
Don’ts
Corporate
Standard Corporate License
For wider or unlimited purposes according to your company’s needs.
Do’s
Don’ts
Gaming
Standard Gaming License
For commercial electronic games played on all interactive platforms.
Do’s
Don’ts
OEM / Font Interface Embedding
Standard OEM / Font Interface Embedding License
This license covers embedding fonts into device interfaces, touchscreen displays, control panels, industrial machines, vehicle dashboards, or other interfaces where the font is part of the functional display.
Do’s
Don’ts
Have a question about licensing?
What license do I need to embed a font in a device interface?
For embedding fonts into device interfaces, firmware, or hardware displays (such as consumer electronics, vehicle displays, dashboards, appliances, or musical equipment), you need an OEM / Font Interface Embedding License. This license specifically covers the use of fonts as a functional part of a product or interface. Standard Desktop, Web, or App Licenses do not permit this type of usage.
How do I prove I have a license?
The invoice that you receive after purchase is proof of a license. Make sure to enter the right license owner and domain when finishing your order.
What happens if I don’t have a lincese?
- If you don’t have a valid license, you are not legally allowed to use the font for any commercial or personal projects. Unauthorized use of a font—whether for branding, websites, apps, or printed materials—can lead to copyright infringement issues, legal consequences, and potential fines.
- To avoid this, always purchase the appropriate license for your intended use. If you’re unsure which license you need, review our licensing options or contact us for guidance.
What is the license duration?
The font license duration is determined by the type of licensing that you had purchased. It could be either Annual or Perpetual. The licensing is valid until the licensing parameters are not exceeded. When that happens you can contact us for a special discount on your next licensing update.
Annual Licenses: These licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase. You can renew annually to continue using the fonts under the same terms.
Perpetual Licenses: With a one-time payment, these licenses grant you lifetime use of the fonts under the specified terms, without the need for renewal.
What is the difference between annual and perpetual licenses?
- Annual Licenses: These licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase. You can renew annually to continue using the fonts under the same terms.
- Perpetual Licenses: With a one-time payment, these licenses grant you lifetime use of the fonts under the specified terms, without the need for renewal.
Which license types are available as annual or perpetual?
All our license types—except the Desktop License—can be purchased as either annual or perpetual. The Desktop License is always perpetual, ensuring you can use your fonts in design software without time limitations.
How are licenses selected by default on the Buy page?
By default, all products are added as annual licenses, except the Desktop License, which is automatically added as a perpetual license.
You can select the type of license on the product page or at check-out.
If you have specific licensing needs or questions, feel free to contact us at contact@fontfabric.com.
How do you know if a font is being used without a license? How is it controlled?
Fontfabric partners with Font Radar for licensing control and constantly checks the licensee database. If there is something wrong with your license, you will receive an email that is best answered.
What happens if you use a font without buying a license? Is there a penalty for illegal use of a font?
Civil, administrative and criminal liability may ensue due to the illegitimate use of a font. In other words, it’s better to buy licenses for commercial fonts.
How does a Webfont license work?
Webfont licenses allow you to install our fonts on a web server and embed them in the code for your own websites. Our Webfont licensing is based on the monthly pageviews a website receives.
What are the common restrictions in font licensing according to Fontfabric?
Apart from specific restrictions that caome with each type of font licensing, when it comes to the font files you are not allowed:
⃠ to modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble without the font’s owner prior written consent;
⃠ to resell or redistribute without authorization from the fonts’ owner;
✓ You may, however, create any type of design, modify the vector outlines, create derivative works and visuals using the font itself.
What is an EULA?
EULA stands for End-User License Agreement. In it, you’ll find the conditions you agree to when purchasing a paid font or downloading a free one. This agreement states all types of licenses offered, along with any rules and limits you (and your client when working for hire) are bound to follow.
There are two types of user licenses that we offer:
1. Standard End-User License: issued with individual font purchases covering the most popular uses (Desktop, Webfont, App, ePub, etc.)
2. Custom End-User License: tailored to specific client needs and issued after a professional consultation and negotiations
Read our full Non-commercial EULA and Commercial EULA for details.