Using Windows imagery - What is the MS LAW

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Guest

Hi there,

What is the law when it comes to using Microsoft Imagery? - xp screenshots
that have been edited by me (A window screenshot, A requester screenshot, xp
buttons screenshot and so on) - and then added to my HTML webpages for
publication on my website?

For example:

Are you allowed to use Windows screenshots? or is it a case of "people use
them anyway without the consent of MS"?

Regards

John
 
There is no such thing as "MS LAW", although it is curious that you think
there is.

There is a thing called copyright and if any images you are using are
copyright, you are in breach of that copyright.

Now whether or not MS will sue you for a civil breach of copyright is a
different matter and if they don't have the balls to sue people who copy
Windows for personal use, it is unlikely that a, they will even know about
your web site and b, if they did, do anything about your plagiarism.

Alias
 
yoingco said:
Hi there,

What is the law when it comes to using Microsoft Imagery? - xp screenshots
that have been edited by me (A window screenshot, A requester screenshot,
xp
buttons screenshot and so on) - and then added to my HTML webpages for
publication on my website?

For example:

Are you allowed to use Windows screenshots? or is it a case of "people use
them anyway without the consent of MS"?

Regards

John

This is a copyright issue. As such, it is covered under "fair use". If
you're putting the images on a personal website, you should not need to do
anything explicit. You're only required to state where the image came from
(which is usually pretty obvious.) And, if you aren't making a profit from
the usage, you really don't need to be concerned about it.

If it's for a business website or a for-profit publication, your
requirements may be more stringent. You may want to contact a copyright
attorney for advice prior to using the images. At a minimum, you'll need an
annotation showing attribution.
 
Screen Shots
Microsoft does not object to third party use of screen shots of our software products in advertising, on product packaging and documentation, in books and other printed matter, on video tape, in tutorial software applications, on World Wide Web pages, or in television programs, commercials, movies ("Your Product"), so long as the use is not disparaging and provided you adhere to the following additional guidelines which may be amended from time to time. If your use falls within these guidelines, no further written permission will be required and will not be forthcoming. If you need assistance interpreting these guidelines, please seek the advice of your own copyright attorney.

You may NOT use the following type of screen shots:
a.. Screens from beta products or unreleased products;(Please note that when the product has released to the public, you may proceed if you follow these posted guidelines).
b.. Screens that contain photos and other images directly denoted by company name, trademarks, logos, etc.
c.. Screens of media clips (e.g. Microsoft® Net Show, Microsoft® Windows Media Player)
Please further note that Microsoft Corporation does not grant permission to use third party content contained within screen shots and therefore makes no representations or warranties.

For Microsoft product boot-up screens, opening screens, or “splash screensâ€:
a.. Microsoft product boot-up screens, opening screens, or “splash screens†may only be used in documentation for educational materials or books written about Microsoft technology. All other uses of the Microsoft splash screen, including use in marketing materials, are strictly prohibited.
For screen shots containing Microsoft Agents and/or Office Assistants:
a.. Screens containing Microsoft Agents must fall within the scope of the Microsoft Agent End User License Agreement, the screenshot guidelines posted below, and the Microsoft Agent guidelines located at: http://www.microsoft.com/permission/copyrgt/cop-img.htm#macharacters. If your intended use is restricted by the license or the guidelines posted on this website, your use of the Microsoft Agent is strictly prohibited.
b.. Screens containing Microsoft Office Assistants must abide by the screenshot guidelines posted below and the Office Assistant guidelines located at: http://www.microsoft.com/permission/copyrgt/cop-img.htm#oassist.

For All Uses of Screenshots
1. You may not disparage Microsoft or any of its products in your use of Microsoft product screen shots.

2. You should not use our product(s), product name(s), corporate name, screen shots or other copyrighted material in a way that would indicate Microsoft sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of Your Product(s) or Service(s).

3. While you may capture Microsoft product screens using your own technology and resize to fit your needs, you may not alter the screen image and/or title bars, drop down lists, dialogue boxes, or icons in any way. Screen shots must appear precisely as they would in the Microsoft product.

4. Screenshots from our products are allowed on the following materials, but should not be the most prominent visual element in those materials. Further, no more than 10% of your content should be Microsoft screen shots. For example: marketing materials, advertisements, book covers, product packaging, and other promotional materials.

Advertisements/Books/Product Packaging/Other Printed Matter
In addition to Rules #1 - 4 above:

5. If any Microsoft product(s) is mentioned, the full name of the Microsoft product(s) should be used at first and most prominent mention, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and the trademark(s) should be marked as they appear on the Microsoft product packaging.

6. A footnote attributing trademark ownership to Microsoft should be used.

7. The copyright attribution should state: "Screen shot(s) reprinted by permission from Microsoft Corporation".

Videos
In addition to Rules #1 - 7 above:

8. Trademark and copyright attribution must be in the form of a screen dedicated to same and/or a label on each Product.

Software Applications
In addition to Rules #1 - 8 above:

9. Your Product will provide audio and/or visual instructions to overlay the screen shots of the Microsoft product(s) at a minimum of every 5 screen shots of the Microsoft product(s) so that there is no likelihood of confusion as to the distinctness of the Microsoft product and Your Product.

10. Your Product will not allow actual access to the Microsoft product, unless the Microsoft product has been licensed by the end user and so that there is no likelihood of confusion as to the distinctness of the Microsoft product and Your Product.

Internet/World Wide Web Pages (Online)
Same as Rules #1 - 10 above.

Television/Commercials/Movies ("Production")
In addition to Rules #1 - 4 "For All Uses" above:

11. If applicable, any prominent use of screen shot(s) captured in still photos (which might be used in advertising your Production, for example) shall include copyright and trademark attribution stating the full name of the Microsoft product(s), with our trademarks noted as they appear on our product(s), as in the following example: "Screen shot(s) of [INSERT MICROSOFT PRODUCT NAME] used by permission from Microsoft Corporation".

12. If applicable, any printed use of our trademarks during the filming of the Production shall include the full name of the Microsoft product(s), and our trademarks should be referenced as on product(s).

13. PLEASE NOTE: If any prominent references to Microsoft products or trademarks occur in your Production, please submit a written request providing script samples and other relevant information as outlined below.

No other use of Microsoft screen shots is allowed and permission will not be granted.

From http://www.microsoft.com/permission/copyrgt/cop-img.htm#ScreenShot
 
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