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Court

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.

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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.

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The cases shown here are some that made it to court (and the press).

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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. 

Hover over boxes to reveal details

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FONT DINER

vs

HARIBO

According to the article, confectioner Haribo of America allegedly used Font Diner’s Stovetop typeface on packaging for “Haribo Trick or Treat Mix” sweets.  A basic desktop license was purchased by Haribo’s design firm, but the necessary license upgrade for commercial, for-profit use wasn’t.

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See article: http://bit.ly/2AHbIKQ

FONT DINER

vs

HARIBO

FONT DINER vs HARIBO
NOVEMBER 2017
Damages Sought: $150,000
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Final status of complaint: Currently being litigated
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BERTHOLD

vs

TARGET

BERTHOLD vs TARGET
OCTOBER 2017

According to the article, Target allegedly used Berthold Type Group’s Akzidenz Grotesk font in a promotional video which violated the licensing agreement. The font originally was only licensed by Target for internal business purposes only.


See article: http://bit.ly/2zrGB5j

BERTHOLD

vs

TARGET

Damages Sought: up to $150,000 per infringement
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Final status of complaint: Currently being litigated
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BERTHOLD
vs

VOLVO

According to the article, Berthold alleges that Volvo used Berthold’s typeface and typeface software without permission. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs further allege the defendants created the typeface “Volvo Sans 2012 OT Pro”, which was derived from the plaintiffs’ typeface software under copyright.


See article: https://bit.ly/2M9PkfD

BERTHOLD
vs

VOLVO

BERTHOLD vs VOLVO
JUNE 2017
Damages sought: $30,000 per day

Final status of complaint: Unknown
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HYPEFORTYPE
vs

UNIVERSAL MUSIC STUDIOS

According to the article, HypeForType alleges Universal Music Studios used their Nanami Rounded and Ebisu Bold fonts in the logo of British band “The Vamps” and created artwork, promo materials and merchandise without obtaining licensing. While Designer Stuart Hardie did purchase a basic license in 2013, Universal did not purchase the additional license upgrade to use the fonts on a commercial scale.


See article: http://bit.ly/2u8GvgQ

HYPEFORTYPE
vs

UNIVERSAL MUSIC STUDIOS

HYPEFORTYPE vs
UNIVERSAL MUSIC STUDIOS
AUGUST 2017
Damages sought: $1.25 Million + destruction of existing materials and merchandise

Final status of complaint: Unknown
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FONT BROS.

vs

HASBRO
(MY LITTLE PONY)

According to the article, it is alleged that Hasbro used Font Bros’ Generation B font to create My Little Pony toys, videos, advertising materials and website without obtaining/purchasing licensing. It is also alleged that Hasbro created unauthorized copies of the Generation B Font Software and distributed them to their third party vendors.


See article: https://bit.ly/2W299wf

FONT BROS.

vs

HASBRO
(MY LITTLE PONY)

FONT BROS. vs HASBRO

(MY LITTLE PONY)

JANUARY 2016

Damages Sought: $150,000 per infringement
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Final status of complaint: Currently being litigated in court
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HOUSE INDUSTRIES

vs

NBC UNIVERSAL

According to the article, Brand Design alleged NBCU subsidiary Oxygen Media purchased a basic, 36-user license to use the CHALET font. However, Brand Design says the licensing agreement did not permit the use of the copyrighted font software on NBCU’s websites. NBCU is accused of using a free font software conversion utility to convert the font into a format allowing it to be embedded into websites. This purportedly violates licensing terms on modification.

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See article: https://bit.ly/3aXSv5a

HOUSE INDUSTRIES

vs

NBC UNIVERSAL

HOUSE INDUSTRIES vs
NBC UNIVERSAL
JULY 2012
Damages sought: $3.5 Million

Final status of complaint: Settled
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P22 vs

NBC UNIVERSAL (HARRY POTTER)

P22 alleged that their Cezanne font was used by NBC Universal and some of their manufacturers to create various Harry Potter themed souvenirs sold at Universal theme parks and through their web site. It is also alleged that some of the manufacturers did not even purchase a basic license or any additional licensing required to create and sell commercial products.


See article: https://bit.ly/2SyNKsz

P22 vs

NBC UNIVERSAL (HARRY POTTER)

P22 vs NBC UNIVERSAL

(HARRY POTTER)

JANUARY 2012

Damages sought: $1.5 Million + destruction of all relevant
merchandise

Final status of complaint: Settled
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 TYPOTHEQUE

vs

RAISE DIGITAL (RICK SANTORUM CAMPAIGN)

Font Foundry Typotheque asserted that Raise Digital had no license to use their “Fedra” font. They also claim they modified the same unlicensed “Fedra” font software in order to use it on Rick Santorum’s website – a further licensing violation.

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See article: https://bit.ly/3c73gDu

 TYPOTHEQUE

vs

RAISE DIGITAL (RICK SANTORUM CAMPAIGN)

TYPOTHEQUE vs RAISE DIGITAL
(RICK SANTORUM CAMPAIGN)
AUGUST 2011
Damages sought: $2 Million

Final status of complaint: Unknown
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FONT BUREAU

vs

NBC

According to the article, Font Bureau alleged NBC used three of Font Bureau’s fonts to produce network and show promos on TV and the web. These fonts were only licensed for a single workstation but were used on multiple computers. Font Bureau also alleged NBC distributed several copies of the same fonts to third parties outside of NBC.


See article: https://bit.ly/2z4yTix

FONT BUREAU

vs

NBC

FONT BUREAU vs NBC

OCTOBER 2009

Damages sought: $2 Million

Final status of complaint: Unknown
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