FONT LICENSE VETTING
Need to license a new font?
After initial consultation with you to find out exactly how the font will be used, Font Shield will review the EULA (end user license agreement) of the prospective font. If the licensing of the font is deemed to be “generous” and “simple”, we’ll advise you to proceed with the purchase and tell you exactly which licensing models you require.
If the font is deemed to be “restrictive” (and often expensive in order to lift restrictions) we will secure a price based on your requirements. We will also source and recommend alternate fonts that will honor the same look, feel, and integrity of the prospective font and have licensing terms and conditions that are more generous and simple – as well as cost-effective.
FONT LICENSE VETTING
Need to license a new font?
After initial consultation with you to find out exactly how the font will be used, Font Shield will review the EULA (end user license agreement) of the prospective font. If the licensing of the font is deemed to be “generous” and “simple”, we’ll advise you to proceed with the purchase and tell you exactly which licensing models you require.
If the font is deemed to be “restrictive” (and often expensive in order to lift restrictions) we will secure a price based on your requirements. We will also source and recommend alternate fonts that will honor the same look, feel, and integrity of the prospective font and have licensing terms and conditions that are more generous and simple – as well as cost-effective.
FONT LICENSE VETTING
Need to license a new font?
After initial consultation with you to find out exactly how the font will be used, Font Shield will review the EULA (end user license agreement) of the prospective font. If the licensing of the font is deemed to be “generous” and “simple”, we’ll advise you to proceed with the purchase and tell you exactly which licensing models you require.
If the font is deemed to be “restrictive” (and often expensive in order to lift restrictions) we will secure a price based on your requirements. We will also source and recommend alternate fonts that will honor the same look, feel, and integrity of the prospective font and have licensing terms and conditions that are more generous and simple – as well as cost-effective.
Greg Mitchell, Founder & CEO
Well-respected in the advertising industry, Greg has a vast depth of knowledge in – and passion for – typography. He has mentored art directors, designers, developers, production and QC staff, and countless others on the delivery of a quality typographic product.
As a typographer for over 40 years, Greg has witnessed many changes in the world of typefaces, fonts and the technologies that use them. Significant changes have also occurred in font licensing terms and conditions.
Greg graduated from The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto in their three-year Graphic Arts Printing Technologist Program, specializing in Typography.
His first job was with two traditional typographers who taught him the craft of typesetting for the next seven years. Following that, he freelanced around Toronto in various type houses.
In 1990, Greg joined Ogilvy & Mather Advertising as a typesetter/production artist and shortly after moved into the role of Type Director until 2012.
After a few years of developing and implementing a font management and licensing policy for Ogilvy & Mather North America, Greg became Type Director with Ogilvy’s Global Creative Technologies Group in June 2014.
In March 2015, Greg moved to IBM Global as Type Director, working on font management and licensing for the WPP account.
Having worked with fonts in an advertising environment for most of his career, Greg is acutely aware how convoluted font licensing can be. This can put brands and agencies at risk by misunderstanding their licensing requirements.
Realizing the need for font licensing expertise in the advertising industry, Greg launched Font Shield Inc.
Greg Mitchell, Founder & CEO
Well-respected in the advertising industry, Greg has a vast depth of knowledge in – and passion for – typography. He has mentored art directors, designers, developers, production and QC staff, and countless others on the delivery of a quality typographic product.
As a typographer for over 40 years, Greg has witnessed many changes in the world of typefaces, fonts and the technologies that use them. Significant changes have also occurred in font licensing terms and conditions.
Greg graduated from The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto in their three-year Graphic Arts Printing Technologist Program, specializing in Typography.
His first job was with two traditional typographers who taught him the craft of typesetting for the next seven years. Following that, he freelanced around Toronto in various type houses.
In 1990, Greg joined Ogilvy & Mather Advertising as a typesetter/production artist and shortly after moved into the role of Type Director until 2012.
After a few years of developing and implementing a font management and licensing policy for Ogilvy & Mather North America, Greg became Type Director with Ogilvy’s Global Creative Technologies Group in June 2014.
In March 2015, Greg moved to IBM Global as Type Director, working on font management and licensing for the WPP account.
Having worked with fonts in an advertising environment for most of his career, Greg is acutely aware how convoluted font licensing can be. This can put brands and agencies at risk by misunderstanding their licensing requirements.
Realizing the need for font licensing expertise in the advertising industry, Greg launched Font Shield Inc.
Greg Mitchell, Founder & CEO
Well-respected in the advertising industry, Greg has a vast depth of knowledge in – and passion for – typography. He has mentored art directors, designers, developers, production and QC staff, and countless others on the delivery of a quality typographic product.
As a typographer for over 40 years, Greg has witnessed many changes in the world of typefaces, fonts and the technologies that use them. Significant changes have also occurred in font licensing terms and conditions.
Greg graduated from The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto in their three-year Graphic Arts Printing Technologist Program, specializing in Typography.
His first job was with two traditional typographers who taught him the craft of typesetting for the next seven years. Following that, he freelanced around Toronto in various type houses.
In 1990, Greg joined Ogilvy & Mather Advertising as a typesetter/production artist and shortly after moved into the role of Type Director until 2012.
After a few years of developing and implementing a font management and licensing policy for Ogilvy & Mather North America, Greg became Type Director with Ogilvy’s Global Creative Technologies Group in June 2014.
In March 2015, Greg moved to IBM Global as Type Director, working on font management and licensing for the WPP account.
Having worked with fonts in an advertising environment for most of his career, Greg is acutely aware how convoluted font licensing can be. This can put brands and agencies at risk by misunderstanding their licensing requirements.
Realizing the need for font licensing expertise in the advertising industry, Greg launched Font Shield Inc.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS BAD PUBLICITY, RIGHT? WRONG!
If you think font license infringement lawsuits are folklore, think again – they are more common than you think. The majority of font licensing infringements are settled well before they make it to court in order to avoid negative publicity and additional costs.
No advertising agency or brand likes bad press. The optics of being accused of infringing on someone else’s intellectual property can be unsavory and damage your reputation.
The cases shown here are some that made it to court (and the press).
Don’t let this happen to your business. These cases were preventable. Font Shield will help you gain control over your font licensing and usage. Our customized font governance program will help your company achieve font licensing compliance.
FONT DINER vs HARIBO
BERTHOLD vs TARGET
Final status of complaint: Currently being litigated
See article:
http://bit.ly/2zrGB5j
BERTHOLD vs VOLVO
Final status of complaint: Unknown
See article:
https://bit.ly/2M9PkfD
HYPEFORTYPE vs UNIVERSAL MUSIC STUDIOS
Final status of complaint: Unknown
See article:
http://bit.ly/2u8GvgQ
FONT BROS. vs HASBRO (MY LITTLE PONY)
See article:
https://bit.ly/2W299wf
HOUSE INDUSTRIES vs NBC UNIVERSAL
Final status of complaint: Settled
P22 vs NBC UNIVERSAL (HARRY POTTER)
Final status of complaint: Settled
See article:
https://bit.ly/2SyNKsz
TYPOTHEQUE vs RAISE DIGITAL (RICK SANTORUM CAMPAIGN)
Final status of complaint: Unknown
FONT BUREAU vs NBC
Final status of complaint: Unknown
See article:
https://bit.ly/2z4yTix