Subject in evaluation · Licensing
Font licensing for apps and games
A checklist for embedding fonts in mobile apps, desktop software and games.
An app or game normally distributes the font with the product, so explicit app-embedding permission is required even when ordinary commercial design use is allowed.
Define the distribution
Record the platforms, number of titles, expected users, business model and whether the font ships locally or is delivered from a server. A licence for one website does not automatically cover an installable application.
Understand the risk
Users may be able to extract a bundled font or use it to create their own text. The rights holder may require technical protection, subsetting or a licence that specifically covers editable or user-generated content.
- Mobile, desktop, console or web app
- One title or multiple products
- Static interface text or user-generated text
- Local bundle or remote delivery
- Free, paid or subscription distribution
Keep evidence
Preserve the licence, receipt if applicable, authorised files, version and source URL. Font Trust distinguishes general commercial use from web and app embedding so visitors do not mistake one permission for the other.
This guide explains general font practice and the permissions displayed by Font Trust. The complete licence attached to a specific font remains the controlling text.