Comments on: Typefaces, Logos and Open Font Licenses

By: Duncan

Duncan — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:53:19 +0000

Pretty sure Jean has it wrong. Since there is no reasonable way that someone could mistake a computer repair shop as being a game publishing company, there is no misrepresentation involved.

On the other hand, if you tried to use that font to create a logo for another game publishing company, you could reasonably be accused of potentially misleading people into thinking you are associated with the original company.

But I am no lawyer, and this is just personal opinion.

By: Jean Perwin

Jean Perwin — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:24:16 +0000

Your question raises the issue of trademarks with respect to fonts. A font may or may not be copyrightable depending on the factors, but fonts CAN be protected as a trademark to represent a business–or in this case game design. You cannot use a font that is used as a trademark to represent another business that would be likely to confuse consumers about the nature of the relationship. And that applies to fan fonts. If the font is used to represent the game, there’s not problem. It cannot be used to represent a another business, like computer repair, which could confuse people into thinking the business is somehow endorsed by the game company.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:25:11 +0000

What about a font created in the spirit of another, i.e. an “Unreal Tournament” font that was created by a fan of Unreal Tournament to look like Unreal Tournament’s title font, which is then used as a logo for a different business that’s not even doing game design, such as a computer repair shop? How far does the freedom to use a typeface extend, and does a “fan-font” grant any additional freedom?

By: Laurie Manny

Laurie Manny — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:43:57 +0000

Wow, I never would have thought of the possibility of a font being copyrighted in relation to usage. Interesting Q & A, thanks.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:35:38 +0000

Thanks for answering this question – it really helps clear up the confusion around copyright issues. I had a friend who is very sensitive to copyright infringements and sues quite often – I don’t ever want to be on that end of things.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:31:30 +0000

Hi, I am dealing with a similar situation where I am using a purchased font for a logo, but after contacting the font company where I purchased the font, apparently you can not copyright the text part of the logo, furthermore if any of the other elements in the logo are purchased (vector art) you cant copyright them either, even if you have traced them or whatever.

Doesnt make a lot of sense to me. Isnt that what designers do? Take bits from here and there and add their spin on it to make it their own?

So confused…

By: Karl Burger

Karl Burger — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:16:29 +0000

Thanks for this post. It is very informative. I had an idea that involved text, but the text would be uniquely formated for this idea, in an artsy sort of way. I think based on reading your answer that I could indeed copyright it, based on the fact it wasn’t just plain text. Good info either way.

By: PPC Agency

PPC Agency — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:13:30 +0000

I never even considered the implications of typeface in logos. I will need to find out how UK law views this, similar I would have thought.

By: Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:16:59 +0000

Jean – thanks for this clear explanation on how to copyright logos with fonts.