Highland, CA asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for California

Q: Can I use these fonts commercially?

I want to use a couple of fonts (Cabin by ImpallariType and Liberation Sans from Liberation Fonts) which it says are licensed under the Open Font License for YouTube videos which I plan to monetize. I want to make sure that I am actually free to use them commercially for free before using them though. I believe it should be alright, but I want to make sure I am understanding the license correctly.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: The Open Font License (OFL) allows you to use fonts like Cabin and Liberation Sans for commercial purposes, including monetized YouTube videos. However, it's important to review the specific terms of the license to ensure compliance with its requirements. The OFL typically permits you to use, modify, and distribute the fonts freely, but you must include a copy of the license with any distribution and refrain from selling the fonts themselves.

When using fonts licensed under the OFL, you have the freedom to incorporate them into your commercial projects without paying additional fees or royalties. However, you should still verify that you are using the fonts in accordance with the terms of the license, including providing appropriate attribution and not violating any of the license's restrictions.

Overall, as long as you adhere to the terms of the Open Font License and properly attribute the fonts, you should be able to use Cabin and Liberation Sans for your YouTube videos without encountering any legal issues. It's always a good idea to carefully read and understand the terms of any license agreement to ensure compliance with its requirements.

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