Typophile

Creating a license

YOTS

I'm almost done with a font I created and I want to sell it but I'm not sure how to write a license. Is there a standard template where I can just replace some words or do I need to create one from scratch? If so, what should I cover in the license?

Chester at Village has stated that their EULA is open for use.

KISS (keep it simple!)

>KISS (keep it simple!)

stupid?

Or smart@ss. ;^)

Ouch.

Related and possibly relevant question... if you sell your fonts via MyFonts (or another reseller) will they a. help you write a sensible EULA, b. review your EULA for unrealistic clauses? A question for the John Collins next week, maybe?

Ouch? Oh. I was hoping you'd say touché. Sorry, Si!

That is a good question. Do distributors help foundries with their EULAs?

>Sorry, Si!

I thought 'touché' was French for 'ouch' - been worng all these years ;-)

:^P Touché!

As a font user (typesetting books for university presses), I find the Village EULA wonderful. It addresses all the concerns I know of in book publishing. The only caveat is there may be other user applications I don't know about.

I thought touché meant "touch". As in "you touched me with your foil, you dirty rat."

Simple or not, remember that the EULA is a document written primarily for the court.

Where does Village state that their EULA is open for use?

Isn't "Touché" a fencing term? As in "you got me".
Or have I been watching too many cartoons and musketeer movies ;)

"Simple or not, remember that the EULA is a document written primarily for the court."

True...but that then involves the courts. Better to KISS so a human can read it first and foremost hopefully avoiding the court thing to begin with. ;o)

I think I understand what James is saying. Sometimes too much simplicity is not enough coverage.

They have to keep their bottoms covered. We, the end user, cannot blame them for wanting that. EULAs like Village's are wonderful for us, but we can't count on that every time. That is why it is absolutely essential to not only read the EULA when you license a typeface. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the foundry. If the foundry doesn't care enough to answer you, or if they do and you don't like the answer, then don't license from them.

That is one of the most reasonable and practical EULAs I have ever seen. Makes me want to do all my shopping at Village.

"EULAs like Village’s are wonderful for us, but we can’t count on that every time."

I guess that's my point. If you want to please the customer with the money, try writing the EULA in a way that a) will encourage them to actually read it and b) make it easy to understand.

I agree that one still needs a lawyer, but lawyers tend to write for other lawyers. Make sure the lawyer you hire is also able to write for humans. ;o)

>A question for the John Collins next week, maybe?

John confirmed that MyFonts provides a standard license boilerplate for foundries. In his talk he gave some great EULA advice on what works and what doesn't - I hope he'll be willing to let us share his notes with the community.

> Isn’t “Touché” a fencing term? As in “you got me”.

Yes. It means touched, as in "you got me".

Captured from web.archive.org on 16 May 2013. view this capture