The font was originally created to mirror the typeface found in comic books. BUT – is a comic book really the feeling you want viewers associating with your business? Does a stop sign using Comic Sans convey the same impact or sense urgency? Click on the Stop Sign graphic to the right to enlarge it and see. (I think it makes the requested action look more like a suggestion.)

I make these statements and provide the following links mostly in jest, but seriously, I believe that there is only one audience that Comic Sans is suited for: children.

It seems that John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20 agrees.

John and I aren’t alone. Check out the growing support for the “Kill Comic Sans” movement:
- Comic Sans: The Font Everyone Loves to Hate
- Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will
- All About Comic Sans – History, Examples and Best Practices
- Ban Comic Sans: the source for anti-comic sans propaganda

There are thousands of possible font choices, but sadly, only a few that are “web safe.” Check our our blog post about these standard fonts but please, whatever you do, don’t fall in love with web safe choice #3!

What do you think? Is my hatred of the misuse of this font justified? Do you use Comis Sans in your marketing materials?

We recommend Arial, Courier New, Georgia, Times New Roman, Trebuchet MS and Verdana for easy readability.

If you are writing about a company or product, you can use a logo or product image under what’s called the “Fair Use Doctrine“. Fair Use says that you can use limited portions of a work for commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports. Just how much is considered “fair” depends on a number of circumstances however.

Since Fair Use is so subjective, we recommend obtaining permission before using works by others on your web site.

Sample Copyright Permission Letter
Feel free to use our sample permission letter (Microsoft Word format) as a starting point for your correspondence with a copyright holder.

Permission Letter Tips
1. Send your letter in writing, complete with a self-addressed and stamped envelope. (Make it easy for them to grant your request.)
2. Send two copies of your letter – one for them to sign and keep and one to send back to you.
3. Explain exactly how you intend to use their work. (Supply a link to the specific page where their item will appear or show an example of the type of posting if possible.)
4. Describe how the use of their material is mutually beneficial (such as by driving traffic to their web site, for example.)

Some usage requests can be made from the owner’s web site. Freddie Mac, for example, provides an online form for logo use permission requests. A number of organizations have published logo usage terms and requirements on their own web sites. Generally, they will supply you with official copies of their logo so that you won’t try to modify them, which would generally constitute a violation of their usage terms. Check company web sites for online request forms or file availability before sending a permission request letter.

For an excellent 3 part article about online copyright, copyright infringement, and content theft, check out Web Site Content Theft by Janice Byer for About.com.

Questions about online copyright? Contact us for the answers!

** Please Note: Netdrafter does not administer or track copyright permission for customers. We assume that you have the necessary permissions to use any content you provide to us for web development purposes.