can i sell normal map.. of a font?

Discussion started by Mantas-Talmantas

So iam thinking to sell some normal maps that i have baked from high poly 3d mesh for which i used some fonts. some are default fonts some i have downloaded. do you think that standard font legality applies here or sins i have made high poly mesh and then baked it to normal map its different?

here is what iam talking about in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX9hGAwEoBo

garamond - i guess (but iam not certain) its this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garamond

corbel - i guess (but iam not certain) its this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbel_(typeface)

fenvick_wood - i guess (but iam not certain) its this one https://fontmeme.com/fonts/fenwick-woodtype-font/

thankls for your thoughts!

Answers

Posted over 4 years ago
0

I think it's the same as with any other copyrighted item. You need to see what is the license of the fonts in question. If it's in public domain, then you can sell derivative work (in this case normal map baked from font) without restrictions. If it has commercial license, then you can try to aquire owner's permission, or try to sell the normal map at your own risk with editorial license.

Mantas-Talmantas wrote
Mantas-Talmantas
and if i downloaded font from one of the font sites and it tells me there on that site "license: Free" what could that mean?
trimitek wrote
trimitek
It may be free to use, but not to redistribute. If in doubt - contact the author.
LemonadeCG wrote
LemonadeCG
@Mantas-Talmantas, if license says free for commercial use, then you can sell normal maps derived from the font, because that's considered as derivative work and not redistribution. However sometimes license can be "free for personal use only", in that case you should respect the license and do not sell derivative work. Also in case of Creative Commons licenses, it can be specified explicitly - no derivative works are allowed, even if licensed font itself is free.
Mantas-Talmantas wrote
Mantas-Talmantas
@LemonadeCG, @trimitek - thanks for your insights!
Posted over 4 years ago
0

I think Garamond typeface design belongs to public space (means your free do do whatever), its a sixteenth century design and original copyright typically ends 70 years after original author has passed away.

Corbel I would probably avoid that one,

Fenwick Woodtype is set to free for commercial use (but not specifically mention it belongs to public space), disclaimers on the countless sites that provide it suggest they take minimal responsibility on what users donate or upload, so kind of remains an open question. Notice however there is no link to be found on a commercial version?

Personally, I would consider it safe to move forward on Garmond and Fenwick Woodtype.

Mantas-Talmantas wrote
Mantas-Talmantas
@iterateCGI thanks so much for taking time to respond - much appreciated!
Posted over 4 years ago
1

My opinion: typeface made as normal map isn't the same as source font. Here is few reasons:
1. In my job I'm using different fonts. And I can say -- in 99% of all cases I need to adapt typeface to my own vision or needs. I'm don't using font editors and have enough time for rework letters (point by point, curve by curve). So source font is just reference. I don't see any rational reasons to count my job as illegal.
2. If somebody uses some font for 3D, it's also not the same as using this font in text documents, PDF's, books etc... Because quality result demands some amount of work and changes the source look (extruding and viewing to extruded object from different points of view gives different look of letters than on a flat "paper"). Also for good result usually needed beveling, stretching, bending and/or other operations.

But it's just my opinion, because we are living in very interesting world where rules not logic but reach and power (KAPYTALYSM :)))))... For example Richemont SA holding company has patent for the look of broken circle (or arc) just for using it to fight with anybody who offers something that looks more or less similar to Cartiers "juste en clou" items ("bent nail" rings, bangles etc.)

LemonadeCG wrote
LemonadeCG
Using and modifying the font for your needs is one thing and trying to sell modified product is another thing. The former is perfectly legal, the latter - not neccessary so.

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