Hello,

How do you determine if the fonts on your computer are ok for commercial use? Are the ones that come preinstalled on your computer ok? I haven’t installed any other fonts, unless the photo and graphics programs automatically install some (I’m not sure about this, do they?) I have Microsoft Works 8 (preinstalled on computer) for word processing. I installed Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition 3.0 and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9. My operating system is Windows XP Professional Media Center Edition.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

The fonts that come installed with your computer may be OK but everyone will recognize them. I usually avoid pre-installed ones unless I need that specific look.

Go to Fontsquirrel.com, most of the fonts they offer are OK for commercial use. Check the readme files with them, even though it is a Freeware font they won't let you use it commercially. Some font creators (Larabie) offer all their fonts for personal or commercial use.

Other font distributors: dafonts.com and 1001fonts.com

David

Thanks for your response, cdn_kin.

Yes, I could get some different fonts, but there are some on my computer that I like and will probably use. I just want to be sure they are ok to use for commercial purposes. Is there a way to find out?

quote:

Originally posted by recordspinner:
Hello,

How do you determine if the fonts on your computer are ok for commercial use?

This is from the "For What It's Worth" department...
In Windows, go to your Control Panel (it may be Settings and then Control Panel).
Click on Fonts
Double Left-Click on the name of any font listed. You should see any Copyright notices associated with a font.

Now, can you use a copyright font without permission for commercial use? Iechnically I suppose the answer is no. But, then again, most of the fonts that come with Windows are readily used on Web pages of all sorts, commercial or otherwise.

Many font authors will state that their fonts may NOT be used for any commercial endeavors without licensing... others simply do not want their entire font package redistributed or resold as a font package, while the font itself may be used for anything.

I know this does not answer your question, but as with almost anything concerning copyrights, there is no simple answer.

When you download a font in a zip file, it may contain a readme.txt or license.txt type of file. Check that for information. And don't be afraid to email the creator to inquire about commercial use. I've had three or four where I explained what I was doing and got commercial use of the font for $10. In one case, I've sold quite a bit and went back and sent her another $50 just to say "thanks"