Confused on copyright of Fonts

from WinCustomize Forums
Finally I am in the stage of implementing Fonts in a skin. There was one that I liked but the info said prehibited to redistribute Now, what are the rules when it comes to uploading a skin with a copyrighted font without the explicit saying of redistribution?
5,656 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't think someone is going to do difricult about it... I think nobody uses his own font...
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lecrayon, I don't think you can upload it. I hope someone in the real know on this subject jumps in on this thread.

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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If it said the font wasn't to be redistributed, I'm not sure why you need to ask. There are freeware fonts out there which give permission to redistribute for any purpose, so those are the ones you should be aiming for.

If you really want to include a non-freeware font with a skin, then it's the usual deal of asking for permission from the author. Chances are they won't know what a skin is though.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Arial is for instance copyrighted...But doesn't say you cannot redistribute. Does that mean that other fonts that have similar info to Arial can be placed in the 'fonts to install' area
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I will have a look in the free fonts sites Thanks Grayhaze.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't redistribute anything that doesn't come with permission to do so, or that you haven't asked and received permission for from the author.

A font like Arial shouldn't need to be redistributed anyway, as it's already installed on everyone's machine. I'd generally say it's better to use standard Windows fonts in skins anyway, unless you're creating a skin with a very specific look to it, as the standard fonts are optimised for display at small sizes on a screen. Most fonts you'll find elsewhere, aside from things such as 'pixel fonts', are generally designed for use in print or at larger sizes.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, only distribute fonts that are permitted to be distributed.

And most especially do not include commercial fonts! But I think that's quite obvious.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Listen to grayhaze. Not really a difficult situation if you think about it a bit. If the font says "do not distribute", then you do not distribute.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks all. I asked: without explicit saying : do not distribute
Thanks Crae, I will listen
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
go to 1001fonts.com

the permission are on the site itself. way to many fonts to choose from.

and I think it can take you to other font sites as well.

If you have Adobe Illistrator or MicroMedia's Freehand you can make your own fonts....

but thats not your question
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
also if you got the font from a website, then tell the downloaders of your skin to go get the font from that website.

that way your not redistibuting them, just telling others where the original owner of the file is on the web.

In the mean time, choose a secondary font that you like and upload it with that.