Check the end-user license agreement that your designer agreed to.
The U.S. Copyright Office has taken the position that typefaces aren't copyrightable.
At least one U.S. courts has held that the computer programs that actually generate typeface displays are copyrightable.
The law may vary in other countries --- and Web sites are generally accessible from anywhere.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property_protection_of_typefaces
(As usual, don't rely on this as legal advice, etc.)
Hi,
D.C. is absolutely correct. I would add the practical point that for the font and any other third party software or technology for which you reimbursed the consultant that the consultant register the font and other technology with the vendor *in the name of your company.* If you paid for the license, then the license should be in your name.
Fred Wilf
Baer Crossey LLC
www.BaerCrossey.com
Fonts aren't copyrightable in and of themselves, but the software that makes them possible on computers is copyrightable. By and large, font designers are sophisticated in protecting their copyrights, and some are known for being aggressive in enforcement. The license fees are USUALLY one-time upfront, which would mean you've already paid all you'll need to pay, but that's not always the case. The only way to find out for sure is to ask your web designer and hope he or she kept the relevant information. If not, you might inquire with the font designer and see how they normally license their font software. It might be worth it for the peace of mind.
Good luck!
Rick G. Sanders
Aaron | Sanders PLLC
2400 Crestmoor Road
Nashville, TN 37215
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