SimSun font use

Question

Hi there

I am looking to clarify the use of a Windows ttf font, SimSun.

Font is available on Cloud fonts, and supplied in versions of windows and available forOffice apps -

What are the restrictions for using this font in a non windows application - ie InDesign, 3B2 etc, for sub-setting in, and producing commercial products - these products would be for print and distribution through commercial sales, and also for use within electronic products hosted online, ebooks etc.

The business using the font has 1000's of Office 365 registered users/accounts.

I cannot find clear information as to the legality or restrictions of using this font - can anyone give me some clear info please?

Many thanks

Noel

Answer 1

Hello Noel Robson, welcome to the Microsoft community.

Based on your feedback, you are looking for information on the legality of font usage.

For this issue, I think you can refer to the following website.

Font redistribution FAQ - Typography | Microsoft Learn

In the article, it is mentioned that the fonts provided by Windows cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

Kirito | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Kirito

Thanks for the response, i have already checked that page and it appears to state that unless the application being used is personal or non commercial there are no restrictions to using windows fonts: "Unless you are using an application that is specifically licensed for home, student, or non-commercial use, we do not restrict you from selling the things you print and make using the Windows-supplied fonts."

The confusion i find is that it goes on to mention some fonts however need individual licensing from their copyright holders - what I cannot find is a list of which fonts can be used and which require separate licensing.

The page also mentions repeatedly when talking about the products created and what can be done with them "Windows comes with a collection of fonts that are installed as system-wide resources. Any application installed on your Windows computer has access to these fonts.

A Windows application can use the fonts to render content to a screen, allow that content to be edited, and allow that content to be output to a device, like a printer. Here are answers to common questions about using these fonts."

How does this apply to the font being used outside of the Windows computer, ie on a Mac, or a typesetting system?

The questions remains un resolved:

Q. Which windows fonts can be used as part of an Office 365 subscription/registered user

Q. Which of the various Windows supplied fonts require separate third party permission or licensing from their copyright holders?

Q. How does the usage of these fonts '(listed as having no restrictions placed on them' affect non Windows applications/uses?

thanks

Noel

Answer 3

Hi Kirito

I was wondering if you had any follow up information in response to my earlier reply please?

many thanks

Noel

Answer 4

Hello Noel Robson

Regarding your questions about the use of Windows fonts, I will answer your questions one by one:

1. All windows fonts can be used.
2. If the designer/design company is Microsoft, you do not need to apply for authorization. If it is designed by a third-party company, you need to find the designer/design company for confirmation.
3. Unless you are using an application that is specifically licensed for home, student, or non-commercial use, we do not restrict you from selling the things you print and make using the Windows-supplied fonts.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/fonts/font-faq

If there is anything not clear or I can't understand your problem, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Patch - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 5

Hi Patch

Many thanks for the response.

The screenshot on the MS fonts and how to see if no authorization is needed is great - is there by any chance, a compiled list available of all the fonts that includes the designer/foundry info, and the embeddability status? - so I can determine which are MS fonts and usable with no authorization, and which require further permission seeking.

Q. To clarify, so taking the font used is a MS font (‘Designer = Microsoft’ meaning no need to request authorization), and the application using it is not for personal/non commercial use - that application can be a non-windows application yes?

Looking again through the FaQ's, the statement around embedding: When can I use document embedding? with the answer in the FaQ being: ****

**'**If an application follows the rules and restrictions defined in the OpenType or TrueType specification, you can use it to embed Windows supplied fonts in any document file it creates. For example, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint follow the rules and restrictions, so you can use these applications to create documents (such as Word documents, PowerPoint decks and PDFs) that include embedded fonts.’

I can see the embedding flag in the screenshot you placed, but this statement mentions MS applications that follow the rules and restrictions, - Word, PPT listed, and PDF output from those.

Q. As above I guess, how does this apply to applications outside of MS creating PDF's with embedded/sub-setted fonts - is it purely down to the embedding flag status on the font?

Q. It would therefore be safe to assume that those permissions above need requesting from the non MS designer on fonts that are not Designer = Microsoft?

So while this is also for general knowledge of Windows supplied fonts, the font in particular here is SimSun, but the info page for that font from here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/font-list/?source=recommendations list the font as below:

You can see the designer section is N/A, however it lists the Copyright and Vendor - does this then class as the point you answered in Q2 - that for this font I would need permission/confirmation from them?

However they are not listed on this page as a vendor: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/vendors/#z

Q. What would you advise here as to permitted usage? how to go about requesting info?

Thank you again for your reply, I hope you are able and willing to answer these new queries

Thanks

Noel