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Anonymous
February 10, 2014
Answered

Using fonts from the Adobe Type Basics in a PDF

  • February 10, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 1725 views

Hi everyone,

I have a question about fonts that I hope you can help me with.

I am about to purchase the Adobe Type Basics collection, and I believe that after I purchase this pack I will be able to do "Preview and Print" permission-based stuff. For example, I'll be able to embed the fonts into a PDF that I can send to a commercial printer in order to get the document turned into a physical product (i.e. a paperback book).

However, do I have the permission to embed some of these Type Basic fonts into a PDF that is meant to be sold or distributed to the general public as a PDF eBook? In other words, can I embed the font (for commercial purposes) into a PDF file meant to be sold "as is" as a digital product? Is there a separate license for this? And or PDF eBooks?

Additionally, if Adobe creates a new license in the future, does that mean that my current license is replaced? For example, say they create a "PDF eBook license" in the future, does that mean that I have no choice but to buy that license?

I hope you can help.

Thanks 🙂

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dov Isaacs

All Adobe Type Library products include the right to embed the fonts in PDF files with at least Preview and Print privileges. There are no further restrictions or license fees. Thus, you may send the resultant PDF files to commercial printer and anyone else. regardless of whether you are charging for those PDF files or not. That covers any and all PDF-based “eBooks!”

Your license is the license in effect at the time you license the fonts. There is no clause in the license that allows Adobe to change the terms of the license or retroactively change your ability to use the fonts.

          - Dov

PS:     This is not necessarily true for other font foundries. Some have archaic restrictions! Some charge royalties on any commercial distribution of PDF files with their fonts embedded! Carefully read the End User License Agreements of all products before licensing them.

1 reply

Dov Isaacs
Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
Legend
February 10, 2014

All Adobe Type Library products include the right to embed the fonts in PDF files with at least Preview and Print privileges. There are no further restrictions or license fees. Thus, you may send the resultant PDF files to commercial printer and anyone else. regardless of whether you are charging for those PDF files or not. That covers any and all PDF-based “eBooks!”

Your license is the license in effect at the time you license the fonts. There is no clause in the license that allows Adobe to change the terms of the license or retroactively change your ability to use the fonts.

          - Dov

PS:     This is not necessarily true for other font foundries. Some have archaic restrictions! Some charge royalties on any commercial distribution of PDF files with their fonts embedded! Carefully read the End User License Agreements of all products before licensing them.

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
A
Anonymous
February 10, 2014

Thanks for answering that. I am thrilled to hear that.

It sounds as if Adobe's font EULA is very fair. And reasonable.

May I ask some additional questions?

+ Some of the fonts in the Basic Types pack are sublicensed, if I'm not mistaken. Are there additional terms from their original foundries that I need to observe? Or do Adobe's terms supercede and void any third-party terms?

+ Do I have to observe any specific embedding techniques? I know some foundries are VERY fussy about how you embed fonts in a PDF. I use Word for Mac, MS Word, Pages, and some open source word processors. None of which are very "advanced" with regards to PDF exportation.

Thanks for answering my questions in a prompt and detailed manner.

Dov Isaacs
Dov Isaacs
Legend
February 10, 2014

Your license for the fonts that Adobe licenses from other font foundries (such as Linotype and ITC, all actually part of the Monotype monolith) is that issued by Adobe which is very different from the licenses for the same or similar fonts issued directly from those foundries. The Adobe license is much more liberal!

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
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