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Craig_Paterson
Participating Frequently
November 19, 2019
Question

What happens on 1st January when Adobe Fonts are no longer allowed to be used on client websites

  • November 19, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 1682 views

Up until 31st December it has been OK to use Adobe Fonts on client websites as part of a CC subscription (according to the license), but as of 1st January, what will happen to fonts which have not yet been removed, or changed on client websites?

 

Furthermore, I see that you can still use web fonts in an HTML email or newsletter, or in a banner advertisement. How, in essence is allowing web fonts in an HTML email any different to using in a website? There is potential for more views in an email newsletter than on a website, so seems a bit harsh to continue to allow use in HTML emails and banner ads when website use is being discontinued (without the client subscribing to CC).

 

Also, just wondering if anyone receieved communication from Adobe regarding this change in Adobe Fonts licensing? I don't recall seeing anything, nor can I find anything in my email archives.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

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emmatrafford
Participant
November 19, 2019

I would also like clarification on this - the T&Cs state 'if you are an agency' - I am a freelancer and would like to use Adobe fonts on a new client site (and have also used Adobe fonts on previous client sites that are still active). How do I advise my client on licenses? And is this a blanket policy that applies to everyone charging for a website build? I haven't had any communication relating to this from Adobe and it doesn't seem like there's a great deal of information on the Adobe CC website, considering it will affect a large number of subscribers. Is there a policy, or explanation, beyond the T&Cs?

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    Craig_PatersonAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 20, 2019

    I have just spent some time (over an hour in total) speaking to an advisor at Adobe about this situation and even he (and his supervisor) say that it is not clear what will happen to existing sites which use an Adobe Fonts Web Project.

     

    This is a typical scenario for us…

    • You design a website in Adobe XD, InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop using Adobe Fonts.
    • Website design gets approved by client.
    • Website build begins (built using hand-coded HTML, WordPress, or any other CMS), you create an Adobe Fonts Web Project to use the same fonts specified in the design, and use the generated Web Project HTML code in the <head> of your website. At no point during the creation of the Adobe Fonts “Web Project” are you asked for any identifiable information like a domain name that the Web Project code will be used on.
    • Adobe’s Font Licensing states the following… The Terms of Use permit agency reselling, until December 31, 2019. After that time, your client would need their own Creative Cloud subscription to use for the web font hosting.
    • However it is OK to continue to use an Adobe Fonts Web Project on your own (agency) website, as long as you have a currently active Creative Cloud subscription.
    • My question to Adobe Support was… Will the Adobe Fonts used in a Web Project on a client website stop working on 1st January and revert to the fallback fonts specified in the CSS font stack? If they do stop working and revert to fallback fonts, how does Adobe know that the Web Project is used on a client website and not your own (agency) website since there is no identifying information as to where the Web Project is used?

     

    I have been told that since it is not clear, this has been escalated to a senior support representative and I will receive a call back tomorrow between 8am and 8pm (GMT) to explain the situation fully.

     

    I have also been told separately in a live chat session that “the website should work fine, but just to confirm, please give us 24 hours so that we can check and give you confirmation” (see below screen grab of live chat).

     

    Once I hear back from Adobe, I will update here.

     

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    Tony Allwood
    Participant
    December 16, 2019

    did you get any clarification? I have hundreds of sites in the same situation. 

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