Can You Legally Use That Font, Image, or Song in Your Digital Product?
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Please consult a qualified attorney to ensure your product assets comply with copyright and licensing laws.
You found the perfect font for your new workbook. Or maybe you’re creating a Canva template and want to add a pretty background photo. Or you’re working on a digital course and want to spice up your intro video with some music.
But here’s the problem:
Can you actually use it?
And if you do, are you breaking copyright law?
If you’ve ever wondered “Can I use this image?” or “Is this font okay for my digital product?” — you’re not alone. Most creators aren’t trying to break any rules. They just don’t know what’s allowed.
Let’s clear it up with a plain-English guide to what’s safe, what’s risky, and how to protect yourself when adding third-party content to your digital products.
Why This Matters for Digital Product Creators
If you're selling templates, eBooks, courses, or any type of downloadable resource, you need to be extremely careful about the assets you include — even if you found them online for free.
Using copyrighted fonts, images, or songs without proper rights can result in:
DMCA takedown notices
Loss of access to your product platform
Copyright infringement claims or legal fines
Major headaches if you scale your business and someone flags your content
Even if you're a small business or just starting out, copyright laws still apply.
The Basic Rule: Just Because You Can Download It Doesn’t Mean You Can Use It
If you found a font, image, or song online — that doesn’t automatically mean you have the rights to use it in a product you’re selling.
There are two key things to look for:
License type
How you plan to use it
This is where terms like personal use, commercial use, and Creative Commons come into play.
Understanding Commercial Use vs. Personal Use
Personal Use means you can use it for something just for you — like a birthday card, vision board, or personal blog post.
You cannot use it in products you sell or give to your customers.Commercial Use means you’re allowed to use it in something that earns you money — whether that’s directly (a paid product) or indirectly (a freebie used to grow your list).
Always assume a file is for personal use unless it clearly says otherwise.
What is Creative Commons?
Creative Commons is a type of license that allows creators to share their work with certain permissions in place.
There are several versions of Creative Commons licenses. The most common ones include:
CC0 (Public Domain): You can use it however you want, including commercially, with no attribution required. These are the safest for digital products.
CC BY: You can use it commercially, but you must give credit to the original creator.
CC BY-NC: You can use it for personal or non-commercial purposes, but not in paid products.
CC BY-SA or ND: May restrict modification or require that you share your edits under the same license.
Be careful — not all Creative Commons licenses allow you to use the asset in products you sell. Always double-check the details.
Fonts: Can You Use That Pretty Script in Your Digital Product?
Fonts have licenses too — and just because you can install a font on your computer doesn’t mean you can legally include it in a template or product.
Safe options:
Fonts purchased with a commercial license from places like Creative Market or Fontspring
Fonts from Google Fonts (most are free for commercial use)
Fonts included in paid design tools like Canva Pro, with clear commercial use rights
What to avoid:
Free font sites without clear license info
Fonts labeled “for personal use only”
Including a font file inside your digital product download (you usually can’t do that)
When in doubt, link to where customers can buy or download the font separately — don’t include it in your files.
Images: Can You Use Stock Photos or Pinterest Graphics?
Using random images from Google or Pinterest is a major copyright violation, even if you credit the creator.
Make sure the license allows commercial use with no attribution if you’re including it in a paid product.
Music and Audio: What Can You Use in Your Digital Course?
If you're using music in your course intro video, downloadable meditations, or promotional content, make sure the license allows for digital resale or commercial distribution.
Look for:
Royalty-free music with a commercial license from platforms like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or AudioJungle
Music labeled public domain or CC0
Tracks you’ve personally purchased and licensed for digital product use
Do not use music clips from YouTube, Spotify, or TikTok — even if it’s just a few seconds.
How to Stay Protected
Always read the license before downloading or using any asset
Keep proof of your licenses in a folder (screenshots, receipts, or license files)
Link back to the source if attribution is required
Use design platforms with built-in licensing (Canva Pro, Adobe Express) when possible
When in doubt, skip it — or buy from a reputable source that includes commercial rights
Final Thoughts
It’s tempting to grab the perfect font, image, or audio clip when you're in creation mode. But making sure you have the proper rights to use those assets is an important part of protecting your business.
By sticking to clearly licensed sources and taking the time to understand usage terms, you’ll avoid costly mistakes, keep your products legally safe, and build a brand that’s built to last.
