Using and modifying fonts in Logo design

[frankp1]

Hi All,

Been looking for information on using and modifying fonts in logo designs and have been finding conflicting messages.

I'm interested in the following questions in general, but if anyone has specific info on ITC fonts that would be appreciated too:

1. Does the usage of a font in a logo depend on the licence from the foundry or is there a legal coverage for this use in general?
2. Is it allowable to create outlines using a font as a base and then modify the letterforms to create a lettermark?

Any hints, tips and feedback on the above, or in fact anything related to the above questions would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Frank

[Dov Isaacs]

Your rights and privileges for usage of any particular font from any particular font foundry or supplier depends on the End User License Agreement (EULA) applicable to the specific font. There are no generalizations that you can rely on. With relationship to ITC fonts, what you can do with them really depends on who you source the fonts from.

          - Dov

[frankp1]

Thanks Dov, much appreciated.

[D__McCahill]

Dov

What is the case with the best font collection available ... the Adobe fonts. I have always assumed that it is permissible to convert the font to outlines, and then use illustrator to manipulate points to create a logo. Not all that different from the old days when we would manipulate a repro for a logo.

Is this permissible under the Adobe license?

PS: I assume that doing the same within FontLab, and then creating a derivative font would be against the licence.

[Dov Isaacs]

In terms of fonts licensed from Adobe, there is no issue with outlining text and modifying the style of the resultant outlines, then using the result as a logo that you freely distribute. There is also no issue with mucking with the font in a tool like FontLab to achieve similar effects as long as you don't distribute the derivative font and the system on which the derivative resides counts as one of the licensed systems in the license count. The actual Adobe font EULA clauses are below.

          - Dov

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14.7. Font Software. If the Software includes font software --

14.7.1 You may use the font software with the Software on Computers as described in Section 2 and output the font software to any output device(s) connected to such Computer(s).

14.7.2 If the Permitted Number of Computers is five or fewer, you may download the font software to the memory (hard disk or RAM) of one output device connected to at least one of such Computers for the purpose of having the font software remain resident in such output device, and of one additional such output device for every multiple of five represented by the Permitted Number of Computers.

14.7.3 You may take a copy of the font(s) you have used for a particular file to a commercial printer or other service bureau, and such service bureau may use the font(s) to process your file, provided such service bureau has a valid license to use that particular font software.

14.7.4 You may convert and install the font software into another format for use in other environments, subject to the following conditions: A computer on which the converted font software is used or installed will be considered as one of your Permitted Number of Computers. Use of the font software you have converted will be pursuant to all the terms and conditions of this agreement. Such converted font software may be used only for your own customary internal business or personal use and may not be distributed or transferred for any purpose, except in accordance with Section 4.4 of this agreement.

14.7.5 You may embed copies of the font software into your electronic documents for the purpose of printing and viewing the document. If the font software you are embedding is identified as "licensed for editable embedding" on Adobe’s website at http://www.adobe.com/type/browser/legal/embeddingeula.html, you may also embed copies of that font software for the additional purpose of editing your electronic documents. No other embedding rights are implied or permitted under this license.

[D__McCahill]

Thanks for the clarification, Dov. I was pretty sure that was the case, but it may be helpful for the other users who visit here.