Microsoft Trademarks: Frequently Asked Questions

General information about Microsoft trademarks and their use is available on the General Microsoft Trademark Guidelines page.

You may make fair reference to Microsoft trademarks in your marketing material or on product packaging—for example, including a textual statement that mentions your product's compatibility with Microsoft technology—as long as your materials comply with the Microsoft guidelines for referential use of Microsoft trademarks. Trademarks help consumers identify and distinguish the technologies, products, and services of different companies, and they represent the reputation of their owners. Consumers come to trust that software, products, or services bearing a trademark are of a certain quality and are manufactured by or controlled by a particular company. Because Microsoft trademarks represent the company's reputation and goodwill toward its customers, Microsoft does not generally allow other companies or individuals to use Microsoft trademarks in naming or labeling software, products, or services. For more information, please see the Company, Product, Service, and Domain Names section on the General Microsoft Trademark Guidelines page.

No. Microsoft will not grant permission to use software or product logos to promote a drawing. However, you may use a box shot to show the software or product in its entirety, provided the displayed box shot correctly represents the prize and complies with the Microsoft box shot guidelines.

Yes, as long as you have a signed logo license agreement with Microsoft. Microsoft has many logo programs to indicate compatibility with various software, products, and services. For your product to be eligible to display a Microsoft logo, you will be required to demonstrate Microsoft-defined performance and compatibility standards for your product or service. If you do not have a signed logo license agreement from Microsoft, you may not use any Microsoft logo to indicate compatibility with Microsoft software, products, or services.

• Learn more about Microsoft Logo Programs

No, you may not create your own logo to convey compatibility with any Microsoft software, product, or service. However, you may make accurate textual references to Microsoft trademarks and software, product, and service names provided you comply with the Microsoft Trademark Guidelines. Microsoft also offers many Microsoft Logo Programs to indicate compatibility with various software, products, and services.

No. Microsoft does not permit other companies or individuals to display its logos or trademarks on T-shirts, office supplies, sporting goods, or other merchandise. For more information, review the Merchandise section of the General Microsoft Trademark Guidelines. Limited exceptions may be granted based on extenuating circumstances and business approval from a Microsoft Account Manager. If your company has a business proposal to license a Microsoft trademark as a revenue opportunity, submit your business proposal to iplg@microsoft.com. Please include Trademark in the subject line of your message.

No. Microsoft does not grant permission to use its logos on Web sites that the company does not generate or sponsor because the presence of a Microsoft logo on a Web site could lead customers to believe that the Web site is managed, sponsored, or endorsed by Microsoft. However, Microsoft does offer a number of link buttons that may be used on your site. Such buttons graphically represent links to particular pages on Microsoft.com.

• Learn more about Microsoft link logos

Microsoft does not expressly grant or deny permission for artistic endeavors. This Web site contains guidelines to help you make proper referential use of Microsoft trademarks and software, product, and service names. If you do not find guidelines for a particular trademark or name, please refer to the General Microsoft Trademark Guidelines.

It is okay to use Microsoft logos in school projects such as book reports, stories, or articles about or involving Microsoft or its software, products, and services. The project should be displayed, used in, or directed to an academic environment.

The Microsoft Trademarks List provides guidance on specific Microsoft trademarks and trademark attributions. This list is updated regularly.