Creating a font from scratch, however, is much easier said than done. What this means is that you could basically recreate a typeface from scratch and name it something completely different, and in most cases, you could use it. In addition, a font name can also be trademarked so you can't always use the name. However, they can be eligible for patent protection through a design patent.
So for simplicity's sake, we will use both terms interchangeably.Ĭan fonts be copyrighted? In the United States, fonts are protected under copyright. However, most people use “font” to refer to the typeface as well. So in this case, if you had an italicized 12 point Times New Roman style, Times New Roman would be the typeface, and its individual variation (in this case 12 point size and italics) would be the font. This includes different sizes, bolding, and other stylistic variations. Font vs Typeface: What is a Font Really?Ī common mistake people make is the use of the word font. When most people say font what they actually mean is typeface. So, to help us all be on the same page, here is a quick breakdown between a font and typeface.Ī typeface is the individual lettering design that serves as the basis for all of the individual fonts within that design.Ī font is the specific computer program for each variation of every typeface.
If you haven’t checked out Atticus, you can see it here. If you use Atticus to format your books, rest assured all fonts in Atticus has been checked by a lawyer and are safe to use. So, in order to protect yourself, it’s best to have an understanding of font copyright laws, how to figure out if your font is allowed to be used, and if necessary, how to purchase the rights to use a font. However, I do think that going forward, we authors should take care to be compliant, and choose fonts that we can absolutely use. This includes fonts in the book, chapter title, or even on your book cover. The only major court case that I found was against a major company and involved a Harry Potter font. If you use Times New Roman in your print book without a license, the chances of you getting sued are slim.
That means that if an author isn’t careful, they could choose a font from their Word or other writing software, like Times New Roman, that isn’t legally allowed to be put in a print product without an extra paid license. Some fonts, while free to use personally or in other electronic forms, have extra requirements or copyright rules if you are to put it on a physical product…like a book.
Did you know that just because a font came with your computer or Word doesn’t mean you can use it in your physical print book?
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