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Using typefaces in vectors or illustrations

 
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imagesofd


Joined: 18 Oct 2009
Posts: 11

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:17 pm     Reply with quote

I want to add text to my images but I'm not sure which ones are safe to use(copyright) and avoid rejection of image. I read somewhere that you can you use any text as long as you use create outlines for text. Is this right?
ddgrigg


Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Miami

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:46 pm     Reply with quote

You can use any type you want. But most definitely make sure you outline the text before submitting. Clients do not like downloading an image and then realizing they don't have that font or they may have to purchase that font just to keep the integrity of the original image.
princesszelda


Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 105
Location: London, UK

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:46 pm     Reply with quote

Hi Imagesofd,

I use text as the main focus in a number of my designs. I bought a pack of texts from http://www.1001freefonts.com/ which gives me the license for commercial use. Saves me the worry! :D

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by "you can you use any text as long as you use create outlines for text." You have to create outline anyway for the actual text to be the same font after upload.
princesszelda


Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 105
Location: London, UK

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:53 pm     Reply with quote

I can't remember and I may be mistaken, but I think there was one stock agency that had some rule about having the license for fonts... Now I see it wasn't SS!!
suwanneeredhead


Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 493
Location: Looking at Rainier

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:06 pm     Reply with quote

Seems to me that the designers and owners of the copyright on the font do not want you making a "font set" -- all the letters and numbers -- and selling it as your own font.

Whereas I'm sure its okay to write "sample text" or some such in your illustrations, no matter what font it is.
imagesofd


Joined: 18 Oct 2009
Posts: 11

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:27 pm     Reply with quote

I'm in the process of making a birthday design and wanted to add "Happy Birthday" text or "sample text" to the design.

Thanks everyone for your input and I welcome any more information on this topic.
akaiser


Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1233
Location: Munich

Post Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:17 pm     Reply with quote

Be careful - not all "free fonts" are free for commercial use. 1001fonts doesn't mark them accordingly. Have a look at the license agreement, which comes as a separate file within the zip-folder, in any case.
Also, have a look at www.dafont.com.
They post a little note besides each font telling how it is licensed. If you aren't sure, directly ask the copyright holder. I did that several times and everyone was very kind and helpful. :)
princesszelda


Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 105
Location: London, UK

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:50 am     Reply with quote

akaiser wrote:
Be careful - not all "free fonts" are free for commercial use. 1001fonts doesn't mark them accordingly. Have a look at the license agreement, which comes as a separate file within the zip-folder, in any case.
Also, have a look at www.dafont.com.
They post a little note besides each font telling how it is licensed. If you aren't sure, directly ask the copyright holder. I did that several times and everyone was very kind and helpful. :)


Hi Anja,

As I bought the bundle and it said on the site that it was for the license, I thought it was all ok, but it's a good idea to read the license to make sure. :)

I had a look at dafont.com and they have a nice selection there. As you said, it has little notes beside the fonts that are pretty clear.
Ooo... more delicious fonts to distract me (drool!):D
ddgrigg


Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Miami

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:52 am     Reply with quote

What you can also do if you are concerned with legal issues is alter the font slightly. After outlining the font, you then extend ascenders and descenders or modify enough to be unique from the original font. Of course this is pointless for large quantity of text but if you are using as a design element it should work out.
akaiser


Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1233
Location: Munich

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:35 am     Reply with quote

ddgrigg wrote:
What you can also do if you are concerned with legal issues is alter the font slightly.

Nah, that's the same thing as if you would download a vector from a pirate site and alter it slightly. It's a question of evidence, whether people are still able to see, if you used a font you're not allowed to use.
Either it's licensed for commercial use or it isn't. Changing it slightly doesn't make any difference in legal terms.

@princesszelda: I guess, I didn't read carefully enough and we're talking about two different sites. If you bought the fonts, it should actually be ok. :)
ddgrigg


Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Miami

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:55 am     Reply with quote

In response to "akaiser". Yes you can alter and it would be considered unique. I have delt with this issue in the past. If you haven't noticed 90% of all fonts look the same but slightly altered. If it was a matter "of evidence, whether people are still able to see". The people who developed Ariel would sue the people who developed Helvetica and so on and so on and so on........
But I guess it also depends on where you live. In the U.S. you can use a font as a bit map or art because it is no longer the actual font but a representation of that font. I cant speak for other regions however.
akaiser


Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1233
Location: Munich

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:40 pm     Reply with quote

I know what you mean, but it is a difference, whether you use an already existing font as a "reference" and draw the new one completely on your own or use the font as a software and then manipulate the glyphs afterwards, isn't it? I don't believe that's what they've done while developing Arial or Helvetica.
And - as far as I know - that's why it's regarded as something unique, as soon as you use a print or raster image of a glyph/font and not the "software", too.
But it's not up to me to pass jugement on anything people are doing, anyways. :)
ddgrigg


Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Miami

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:59 pm     Reply with quote

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this subject.
In any case Im a fan of you portfolio akaiser.
akaiser


Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 1233
Location: Munich

Post Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:16 pm     Reply with quote

That's nice - thanks alot for the compliment! :)
Your port is great, too. That cartoon style is something I could never do. I really admire your drawing skills. :)
 
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