Is the Doom font copyrighted?

[hardcore_gamer]

The font style that Doom uses is probably just as iconic as the actual name of the game. But is the font copyrighted? Like if somebody created a product that used the Doom font style without calling it Doom could they get sued for doing it?

[Edward850]

I don't think you quite understand what copyright is. All original creative works are copyrighted, either by the creator, group or business that produced said work. This is automatic and not something you need to register or even indicate.

 

By being something they created, the font itself is indeed subject copyright laws. You can face legal action by using it beyond the conditions of fair use without permission.

Edited August 26, 2017 by Edward850

[Memfis]

But is it actually a font or just a typeface? Depending on that, the answer might differ. It's rather confusing...

[Nevander]

Since I've seen it used everywhere on videos and images all across the web, I'm gonna say that nobody cares if you use any Doom stylized fonts. The problem would be if you made your own commercial game and used the Doom font as your font.

[hardcore_gamer]

1 hour ago, Edward850 said:

I don't think you quite understand what copyright is. All original creative works are copyrighted, either by the creator, group or business that produced said work. This is automatic and not something you need to register or even indicate.

 

By being something they created, the font itself is indeed subject copyright laws. You can face legal action by using it beyond the conditions of fair use without permission.

But did Id even really invent the Doom font? For example, look at the Metallica font:

 

And then there is this game:

 

http://store.steampowered.com/app/457210/SEUM_Speedrunners_from_Hell/

 

According to the devs of that game the logo was inspired by the band Manowar and doesn't even have anything to do with Doom:

 

[axdoomer]

I see a closer resemblance with the ACDC logo. Maybe they took inspiration from both.

[fraggle]

5 hours ago, hardcore_gamer said:

The font style that Doom uses is probably just as iconic as the actual name of the game. But is the font copyrighted?

Yes. Whether you'd actually be sued for using the font is another matter.

 

5 hours ago, hardcore_gamer said:

Like if somebody created a product that used the Doom font style without calling it Doom could they get sued for doing it?

Depends if you're infringing on id's trademarks or not. If you're using the Doom name or doing something that references Doom indirectly then arguably you may be infringing. You're probably best off consulting a lawyer.

[Phade102]

Theres a big difference between copying, and being inspired by =)

[Quantum HarmonicOscillator]

Yes

[ukiro]

A font is a digital representation of a typeface. The Doom font, doom.ttf, was created long after the game by someone other than id who simply mimicked the letterforms available in the game and made approximations of characters that were not available. The original letters for the game were drawn in DeluxePaint, most likely.