Does a font used for in a picture on the web fall under the "webfont" category?

Vasil Stanev

Hello,
I am about to buy a font to use in a presentation and am not sure what kind of license to buy - there's web, print, media, unlimited (which is however very expensive). Before I ask the owner, I would like to know what is usually understood under a "web font" It thought it is code that is directly used on the website, which a display most often can't be (because of alignment zones etc.).

JoyceKetterer

@Vasil Stanev Thank you for taking the time to try and understand a license rather than just write a contact form to the foundry.  As a foundry owner, we put a lot of energy into trying to make these things clear and it hurts a little when people ignore that work.

Yes, a webfont is definitely a font that is embedded in the css of a website for live rendering.  However, a license for "web" (without any qualifiers) could possibly be for static web use of images.  It's unlikely, most foundries these days don't require additional licensing for static web use, but it is possible.  It's especially possible since you say they have a "media" category - which is something of a catch all (I'd have expected to see "broadcast" in the list instead)  I'd start by reading their FAQ.  If that's not clear I'd look a the web and media licensences to see what they permit - on the theory that if they are expressly permitting what you need then you will need one of those licenses to cover your use. if that's still not clear I'd contact them.  

P.S. -   If you do contact them don't say you want to "buy" their font.  Say you want to license it - that will score you some points for being an educated user.

Vasil Stanev

JoyceKetterer said:

I'd have expected to see "broadcast" in the list instead

It does say exactly that, my mistake.

I went and read the FAQ and it clearly states that usage as a webfont means dynamic display of text, so the "standard" and not the "web" license should cover my needs. I posted the topic as a reference for everybody that might have the same question, and you've done a marvelous job at correctly and professionally explaing it. Thanks!