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Anonymous
April 28, 2020
Question

Font Licencing for Online PDFs

Can someone help me clarify what counts as ePublication, for fonts in PDFs made available online? This is a general question, not just pertaining to Adobe fonts.

 

The context is a non-profit publication. Each issue is available in print and online for free- money comes from ads in each issue. Online issues are available as PDFs of the printed version, which can be downloaded from the website.

 

  • Does a free pdf- containing paid ads- available for download online require a commercial ePub licence for the fonts? Would it depend on the editability of the PDF/how fonts are embedded? These details aren't clear in many licences

  • In a publication that requires ePub licensing, are outlined/rasterized typefaces still covered by a desktop licence?

 

  • If a client supplies an ad to be published, who needs to hold the licences for the fonts in that ad- the publication, the client, or both? (for desktop or ePub use)

I realize that answers may depend on individual font licences, but I’m trying to get a general sense. What counts as ePub use is nebulous when it comes to PDFs. (And by ePub I mean the licence type- not a specific format.)

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    2 replies

    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    April 29, 2020

    Licenses are individually written and you can’t generalise; you must read them or get a statement from the font licensor. If a font license says the font can’t be used on a Tuesday or in green ink, this applies. Some licenses do forbid use in a PDF. Some font licenses do forbid outlining. The Adobe Fonts subscription license DOES allow use in a PDF. 

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    Anonymous
    April 29, 2020

    Okay- that's what I thought. (I was hoping there'd be a generalization of some kind. Oh well.)

    Thank you!

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