Microsoft Corporation
August 7, 1996
All companies benefit from the proper use of trademarks. Microsoft® invests a lot in the products and technology our trademarks represent—by developing the products to be top quality and by marketing them so that consumers appreciate and demand that quality. The equity built up in our unique products and technology is represented in our trademarks.
The following are a few Do's and Don'ts to guide you in the proper use of the Microsoft® Authenticode™ technology name.
Microsoft trademarks may not be incorporated as part of the name of another company's product or service. You may not include "Authenticode™," or any potentially confusing variation in the name of your product or service. This same rule applies to other Microsoft trademarks, such as "Microsoft®," which should never be included in your product name or company name.
We encourage you to note the compatibility of your product with the Microsoft Authenticode technology on your Web site, on packaging, collateral material, and advertising provided you follow the guidelines outlined in this document. You should use phrases such as "works with," "compatible with," or "for" Microsoft® Authenticode™ technology. Your product name and company name must appear more prominently than Authenticode, and the Authenticode trademark should be visually distinguished from your product name by putting it in a nondistinctive font and putting the trademark on a different line. This is important to avoid any implication that your product is produced, endorsed, or supported by Microsoft.
"Do" example:
"Don't" example:
When you use the Authenticode trademark, be sure to include the following references:
Authenticode™ is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Trademarks identify a company's goods or services. A trademark is a proper adjective that modifies the generic name of a product or service. Microsoft is the house trademark used to identify all products and services that originate from Microsoft. Authenticode identifies Microsoft code-recognition technology. Be sure to place the generic name (also called "the descriptor") immediately after the trademark or the product name.
Proper adjective | Generic name, or descriptor |
Authenticode | technology |
"Do" example:
"Don't" example:
"Do" example:
"Don't" example:
Trademarks and product names should not be abbreviated.
"Don't" example:
To avoid confusion in the marketplace, Microsoft trademarks or product names may not be incorporated into your company name (whether a corporate name or a name under which you do business).
"Don't" example: