Windows logo license agreement hardware

However, our logos, app and product icons, illustrations, photographs, videos, and designs can never be used without an express license.

Please review these additional tips to better understand how you can more clearly communicate the role that our Brand Assets convey in your communications. Without a written license or express permission under one of Microsoft's other published guidelines e.

The only exception is that you may truthfully state whether your app is compatible or interoperable with a Microsoft product or service within the text description about your app. Several of these Specific Brand and Product Guidelines are published below and others may be provided to you by your relevant Microsoft contact in the context of your relationship with Microsoft.

Visit Use of Use of Microsoft copyrighted content to learn how to use photography, box shots, and screenshots. Microsoft expressly reserves the right in its sole discretion to terminate, revoke, modify, or otherwise change permission to use its Brand Assets at any time and expressly reserves the right to object to any use or misuse of its Brand Assets in any jurisdiction worldwide.

If your proposed use falls outside of these Guidelines or the Specific Brand and Product Guidelines linked 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. Microsoft Trademark and Brand Guidelines. Thank you for helping us protect our trademarks and brand assets. The Contoso Game can be played on Xbox gaming consoles.

Examples of Brand Assets requiring a license from Microsoft. Microsoft corporate logo See Specific Brand and Product Guidelines section for more information on use requirements.

Microsoft product icons This includes app icons for products such as Microsoft , Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Azure, and others. Badges This includes badges to show designations or relationships between your product and Microsoft. Note if your product or service is compatible or interoperable with a Microsoft product or service.

Contoso software works with Microsoft OneDrive. The proposed program for Windows 7 will have only one logo for systems, devices, and applications. This topic focuses specifically on client software compatibility. We have improved the process to qualify software applications for the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo. Microsoft will no longer require developers to have their applications tested for certification by authorized testing authorities.

Instead, Microsoft is developing a logo toolkit that you can use to ensure that your application is compatible with Windows 7, and meets the Windows 7 Client Software Logo Program requirements. We have significantly reduced the number of requirements. Similar to the hardware program, we have created some policies; while not linked to specific test cases, we will enforce these policies. Partners must meet all requirements and observe all policies for their software applications to qualify for the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo.

When software applications are ready to be tested, go to the Microsoft Connect Windows 7 Software Logo Program page and follow the instructions:. Use the alpha self-test tool for verification Download and install the latest release of the toolkit.

Legally, no. It is explicitly allowed to use a trademark when the use is limited to describing a factual aspect of your product. This is called Nominative Use.

It doesn't mean that the owners of these logos will like you. They will generally suggest that you are not allowed to use them, but their opinion does not have the force of law.

Since answers here mostly seem to concentrate around other operating systems, let me answer in the context of Linux, since you've asked about that as well. Yes , you can do anything you want with Tux , the Linux mascot. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more.

Do I need to ask Microsoft for permission to use their products logo? Ask Question. Asked 8 years, 6 months ago. Active 6 years, 5 months ago. Viewed 9k times. Improve this question. Mikolaj Marcisz Mikolaj Marcisz 1, 2 2 gold badges 15 15 silver badges 27 27 bronze badges. If you are just making something small that will not be shown anywhere outside of the classroom, you will probably be fine, but you can't use this kind of stuff publicly. They're basically aware of the unlikelihood that those companies will sue them.

Many of the notable sites will actually redraw the logo in their own aesthetic for instance, recognizable white silhouettes.

Again, if you're looking for a guarantee, shop for a vaccum cleaner. Show 2 more comments. Active Oldest Votes. From that FAQ: Can I use a Microsoft logo to indicate that my product or service runs on or is compatible with a Microsoft technology or service?