Tech Forum

It is fairly common for font-authors to create fonts that are copy-cat or look-alike fonts. As a graphic designer, I've downloaded hundreds of fonts that are based on famous typography - for example, there is a font based on the famous lettering in the Indiana Jones movie posters.

The existence of a copycat font doesn't, automatically, make it "illegal", "pirated", or "forgeries" in the legal sense of the word. Indeed, many copycat fonts are bought, sold, and licensed on their own by their creators in cases where the typeface itself wasn't copyrighted or restricted or when there's enough subtle variation from the original to make it its own thing.

Obviously, if the actual font the church purchased exclusive rights to or had created for its own use was being distributed w/o their consent, it would be a problem. But there's no evidence here that this is what is happening. For now, this appears to be a copycat font which probably has just enough variation from the original to be all right.

I understand the impetus for the church wanting to protect its brand, but I think the current policy of only allowing the logo on items approved by the church correlation department goes too far. Branding is important and each ward and stake is an extension of the brand of the church. In a way, it is like asking McDonalds to serve the food, but not allow them to put the logo on their menu.

Please consider:
"The Church’s name and logotype are key Church identifiers. They are registered as trademarks or are otherwise legally protected worldwide. They should be used only according to the following guidelines.

Local units may use the written name of the Church (not the logotype) when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The activity or function with which the name is associated is officially sponsored by the unit (for example, a sacrament meeting program).
2. The name of the local unit is used as a prelude to the name of the Church (for example, Canyon View Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
3. The typeface does not imitate or resemble the official Church logotype.
The Church’s official logotype (see the front cover of this handbook) is to be used only for items approved by the Correlation Department at Church headquarters. Examples of these items are:

1. Official Church publications and stationery.
2. Missionary name tags.
3. Meetinghouse exterior signs.
The logotype may not be used as a decorative element or a computer screen saver. Nor may it be used in any personal, commercial, or promotional way, such as on family history books, T-shirts, buttons, or banners."

https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... es#21.1.10

I once recreated the logo just for personal practice and because I'm also a font nerd. The closest I came to it was a combination of Palatino and Trajan Pro with a fair amount of customization of both. Unless you're creating an official church publication the logo should not be used, even in ward and stake documents.

Here is a link to the official logo usage requirements.
https://providentliving.lds.org/welfare ... s?lang=eng

"The ERS logo is for ERS use. Since wards and stakes are not ERS they should not use the logo. Stake and ward employment specialists represent their respective units and ecclesiastical leaders and as such, they do not represent ERS."

Thank you all for your input. This thread has run its course and will be locked. Any further questions regarding usage of the church logo or font may be directed to:

Intellectual Property Office
50 East North Temple Street, Room 1888
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0018
Telephone: 1-801-240-3959 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2-3959
Fax: 1-801-240-1187
E-mail: cor-intellectualproperty@ldschurch.org