When referring to Microsoft trademarks and the names of Microsoft software, products, and services, follow these Microsoft Trademark and Brand Guidelines.

Microsoft Trademark & Brand Guidelines

You may use Microsoft trademarks in text solely to refer to and/or link to Microsoft’s products and services and in accordance with the terms of these Guidelines.

You may not:

• use Microsoft logos, logotypes, icons, trade dress or other elements of Microsoft packaging, websites or materials unless specifically permitted under these Guidelines or other applicable guidelines;
• use the trademarks in the name of your business, product, service, app, domain name, social media account, or other offering (with the exception of seminars and conferences, which are covered by the Publications, Seminars, and Conferences Guidelines;
• use the trademarks more prominently than your product or service name;
• use the trademarks on promotional merchandise that you are selling or distributing (such as t-shirts, travel mugs, etc.);
• do or say anything or use the trademarks in a way that implies affiliation with, or sponsorship, endorsement or approval by Microsoft of your products or services;
• alter, animate, or distort the trademarks or combine them with any other symbols, words, images or designs, or incorporate them into a tagline or slogan;
• use the trademarks in any way that is contrary to these Guidelines and/or the Publications, Seminars, and Conferences Guidelines.

App Guidelines

Your registered publisher name and everything about your app—name, logo, description, screenshots—must be unique and free of Microsoft trademarks unless (1) you’ve secured permission from Microsoft through a license or equivalent (though such licenses are not generally available in this context); or (2) you’re only using a Microsoft trademark (not including logos) to describe that your product is designed to work in conjunction with a Microsoft product or service and as long as your app logo and/or name:

• does not suggest/give the impression your app is actually published by, affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft; and
• denotes your own unique brand so as to clearly signal to users that there is no affiliation or endorsement by Microsoft.

In addition, Microsoft logos cannot be used as a source identifier for your app icon.

Box Shots and Screenshots

Visit Use of Microsoft Copyrighted Content to learn how to use box shots and screenshots.

Publications, Seminars, and Conferences

You may refer to Microsoft product, service, and technology names on the cover of magazines and periodicals and in the title of seminars and conferences, pursuant to the Publications, Seminars, and Conferences Guidelines.

Social Media Guidelines

The name of your social media account, any and all pages or communities, cannot begin with a Microsoft trademark. In addition, Microsoft logos cannot be used in a way that might suggest affiliation with Microsoft, including, but not limited to, the account, profile, or header images. The only exceptions to these requirements are if (1) you’ve secured permission from Microsoft through a license or equivalent (though such licenses are not generally available in this context); or (2) you’re using a Microsoft trademark (not including logos) to describe the purpose of your account, page, or community provided that:

• you are not suggesting affiliation with or endorsement by Microsoft; and,
• your account does not use the name or likeness of any prominent individuals within Microsoft.

For example, you cannot name your account, page, or community “Xbox Gaming” or “Microsoft Products.” However, it would be acceptable to name your account, page, or community “Fans of Gaming on Xbox” or “Information about Microsoft Products” as long as you do not use the Xbox or Microsoft logos or otherwise suggest any affiliation with Microsoft.

For More Information

If your proposed use falls outside of these Guidelines or the Brand specific guidelines linked to above, the use is not permitted unless you seek approval from an appropriate contact within Microsoft.

If you have a question, please consult your legal counsel or your Microsoft business contact.