Font Licensing FAQ
- Why do I need a licence?
- How do we work out what we need?
- Networks & Servers
- Using fonts on the web
- Embedding into documents & PDFs
- Embedding into apps, eBooks, software & hardware products
- 3rd party use: agencies, printers, suppliers, freelancers etc
- Larger licences & license extensions
- Do we receive a certificate?
- How long does the licence last?
- Can we modify the fonts?
- Why do I need a licence?
- A digital font is a piece of software. When you buy and download one of our fonts you are actually purchasing a licence to use the font software under the terms and conditions specified in the G-Type End User Licence Agreement (EULA). It's no different from buying any other piece of computer software.
- How do we work out what we need?
- When you buy one of our fonts it comes with a standard licence which covers use on up to 5 devices, e.g. desktop computer, tablet, server, laptop etc. If you need to use the font on more than 5 devices either insert the correct number in the licence box when purchasing at g-type.com or contact us for a multi-user/device licence. Licences can be extended at any time if your organisation's use outgrows its original licence. Please note we don't impose any limitations on geographical location, so if your company needs a licence for 50 devices spread across 3 different sites there is nothing extra to pay for the 2 additional offices.
- Networks & Servers
- If the fonts are stored on a server that is attached to a network, every device and server that has access to the fonts or stores them must be properly licensed. By means of illustration, if there are 100 devices (including servers) connected together as part of a network, with no more than 15 devices or servers ever using or storing the fonts concurrently, but the fonts will be accessed or used on up to 50 different devices at various points in time, a multi-user/device licence must be obtained for 50 devices.
- Using fonts on the web
- You'll need a separate licence if you're looking to create webfont formats from our fonts for use with the CSS @font-face rule or any other web embedding technology. Similarly, a separate licence is required for web server based applications such as an online greetings card service. You won't need a separate webfont licence if you're just placing static images (gifs, jpgs, pngs etc) containing our fonts into web pages.
- Embedding into documents & PDFs
- You may embed the fonts into documents and PDFs for 'print & preview' use only; editable embedding or commercial distribution of PDFs requires a separate licence.
- Embedding into apps, eBooks, software & hardware products
- Embedding G-Type fonts into software products such as commercial PDFs, eBooks, apps, games etc, or hardware devices like smart phones, tablets, set top boxes, consoles etc requires a separate Application Embedding Licence, sometimes referred to as an OEM Licence.
- 3rd party use: agencies, printers, suppliers, freelancers etc
- Any independent entity, contractor or person not working as an employee of your organisation such as an agency, supplier, printer or freelancer must purchase their own licence to use the fonts, or you can purchase a licence on their behalf. Never send fonts to external entities unless specifically permitted to do so. Third parties can be included as part of a separate Corporate or Enterprise Licence. Artwork can be sent externally to an unlicensed recipient if converted first to paths or outlines.
- Larger licences & licence extensions
- You can buy a licence online at g-type.com for up to 1,000 devices/users but if you need a larger licence than this, or if you prefer ordering offline, please contact us for a quote. Licences can be extended at any time as your organisation grows.
- Do we receive a certificate?
- PDF Licence Certificates are only issued to customers buying a multi-user/device licence or non-standard licence offline. For online orders your email receipt should be kept safely as proof of licence purchase.
- How long does the licence last?
- With the exception of webfonts served by our partners all G-Type fonts are licensed in perpetuity for a one-off fee.
- Can we modify the fonts?
- Under no circumstances are you allowed to convert, modify or extend G-Type fonts; please contact G-Type directly if you'd like a quote for customising one of our fonts.
- If you have any further questions or you'd like a licence quote please email licensing@g-type.com