Microsoft may change these Terms without notice, and using the website after a change means you accept it
Microsoft says the services it provides to you are subject to these Terms of Use ("TOU"). It reserves the right to update and modify the TOU at any time without notice to you. The current version is the one reached through the "Terms of Use" link at the bottom of its web pages, and Microsoft says it will update the date at the top of the page when it makes changes. If you use the website after a new version has been posted, you agree to the terms of that new version. This copy shows a last-updated date of February 7, 2022.
Supporting quotations
Last Updated: February 7, 2022
The services that Microsoft provides to you are subject to the following Terms of Use ("TOU").
Microsoft reserves the right to update and modify the TOU at any time without notice to you.
When we make updates to the TOU, Microsoft will update the date at the top of this page.
By using the website after a new version of the TOU has been posted, you agree to the terms of such new version.
Qualifications & exceptions
The right to change is stated as "at any time without notice to you"; the only signal described is the updated date on the page itself.
Agreement to a new version is tied to using "the website" after the new version has been posted.
Not stated here
The text does not say how long after posting a change takes effect, or give any other way users would be told of a change.
It does not say whether "the website" here covers every service described in the Description of Services or only the pages that carry this notice.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
The Services are Microsoft web properties offering developer tools, downloads, forums and product information
Microsoft describes the "Services" these Terms cover as access, through its network of web properties, to a variety of resources, including developer tools, download areas, communication forums and product information. The Services include any updates, enhancements and new features, and any new web properties added later, and all of them are subject to these Terms.
Supporting quotations
Through its network of Web properties, Microsoft provides you with access to a variety of resources, including developer tools, download areas, communication forums and product information (collectively "Services").
The Services, including any updates, enhancements, new features, and/or the addition of any new Web properties, are subject to these TOU.
Qualifications & exceptions
The resources are introduced with "including", so the named items are examples rather than a complete list.
Updates, new features and newly added web properties are covered automatically.
Not stated here
The text names no specific products or apps and does not say how these Terms relate to other Microsoft terms that may apply to particular products or paid services; no other agreements are supplied with this document.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for personal, non-commercial use only; do not copy or sell what you get
Unless something else is specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the Services. Other parts of these Terms specify differently for particular material: for example, accredited educational institutions may reproduce Documents for classroom distribution, and downloaded Software is used under its own license agreement.
Supporting quotations
Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use.
You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the Services.
Accredited educational institutions, such as K-12, universities, private/public colleges, and state community colleges, may download and reproduce the Documents for distribution in the classroom.
Use of the Software is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is included with the Software ("License Agreement").
Qualifications & exceptions
"Unless otherwise specified" means specific provisions or licenses can change this default; the text does not list every place that happens.
The restricted acts apply to what is "obtained from the Services".
Documents and Software have their own conditions in later sections, which can allow more than this default.
Data Access & Collection · Context
Privacy is handled by a separate Privacy Statement that these Terms only link to
This section does not itself describe what personal data Microsoft collects or how it uses it. It points to a linked Privacy Statement for the disclosures about the collection and use of your personal data. That statement is not part of this document, so what it says is not summarized here. Other sections of these Terms do touch on information, such as the processing of AI service inputs and Microsoft's reserved right to disclose information, and are explained in their own cards.
Supporting quotations
See the [Privacy Statement](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=248681) disclosures relating to the collection and use of your personal data.
Qualifications & exceptions
The only privacy content in this section is the pointer to the linked Privacy Statement.
Not stated here
The linked Privacy Statement was not supplied with this source, so what Microsoft collects, shares or keeps under it is unknown from this document.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Microsoft or its content suppliers own the content in the Services; rights not expressly granted to you are reserved
Microsoft says all content included in or made available through the Services, such as text, graphics, logos, icons, images, sounds, music, digital downloads, data compilation, software and documents, is the exclusive property of Microsoft or its content suppliers. It says this content is protected by trade dress, copyright, trademark, patent and other intellectual property and unfair competition laws in the United States and internationally. Any rights these Terms do not expressly grant to you are reserved and retained by Microsoft or its licensors, suppliers, publishers, rightsholders or other content providers. Separately, a later section says Microsoft does not claim ownership of materials you provide to it or post to the Services.
Supporting quotations
All content included in or made available through the Services, such as text, graphics, logos, icons, images, sounds, music, digital downloads, data compilation, software, and documents is the exclusive property of Microsoft or its content suppliers
All rights not expressly granted to you in this TOU are reserved and retained by Microsoft or its licensors, suppliers, publishers, rightsholders, or other content providers.
Microsoft does not claim ownership of the materials you provide to Microsoft
Qualifications & exceptions
The list of content types is introduced by "such as", so it is illustrative.
Ownership is stated as belonging to Microsoft "or its content suppliers", so some content may belong to third-party suppliers rather than Microsoft.
The reservation covers only rights not expressly granted in these Terms.
Not stated here
The text does not say whether material that users post counts as "content ... made available through the Services" for this sentence; the later Materials Provided section says Microsoft does not claim ownership of such Submissions.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): Microsoft does not claim ownership of your Submissions but you give it and its affiliates a license to use them — contrast: The content section says all content made available through the Services belongs to Microsoft or its content suppliers, while the Materials Provided section says Microsoft does not claim ownership of what users provide or post and instead takes a license. The text does not say how the two statements apply to user-posted material.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Downloaded Software is used under its own license agreement, if any, which you must accept before installing
Software you can download from the Services is described as the copyrighted work of Microsoft and/or its suppliers. Your use of it is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, that accompanies or is included with it. If a license agreement comes with the software, an end user cannot install the software without first agreeing to that agreement. The Representations and Warranties section adds that Software is warranted, if at all, only according to the terms of that license agreement. Third-party scripts or code linked to or referenced from the website are licensed to you by the third parties that own the code, not by Microsoft.
Supporting quotations
Any software that is made available to download from the Services ("Software") is the copyrighted work of Microsoft and/or its suppliers.
Use of the Software is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is included with the Software ("License Agreement").
An end user will be unable to install any Software that is accompanied by or includes a License Agreement, unless he or she first agrees to the License Agreement terms.
Third party scripts or code, linked to or referenced from this website, are licensed to you by the third parties that own such code, not by Microsoft.
Software is warranted, if at all, only according to the terms of the license agreement.
Qualifications & exceptions
"If any": the text allows for software that has no accompanying license agreement and does not say what governs it in that case.
The install condition applies to Software "accompanied by or includes" a license agreement.
Third-party code is licensed by its owner, not by Microsoft.
Not stated here
The end user license agreements that accompany particular software are not supplied here, so their terms are unknown.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Copying or redistributing Software beyond its license is prohibited; Microsoft warns of civil and criminal penalties
Software is made available for download solely for use by end users according to its license agreement. Microsoft states that any reproduction or redistribution of the Software not in accordance with the license agreement is expressly prohibited by law and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and that violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible. It also says that copying or reproducing the software to any other server or location for further reproduction or redistribution is expressly prohibited unless the license agreement accompanying that software expressly permits it.
Supporting quotations
The Software is made available for download solely for use by end users according to the License Agreement.
Any reproduction or redistribution of the Software not in accordance with the License Agreement is expressly prohibited by law, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties.
Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.
copying or reproduction of the software to any other server or location for further reproduction or redistribution is expressly prohibited, unless such reproduction or redistribution is expressly permitted by the license agreement accompanying such software.
Qualifications & exceptions
The penalty and prosecution wording is Microsoft's own statement of what may happen; the document does not explain how the law would apply in any particular case.
The prohibition on copying to another server or location has one stated exception: reproduction or redistribution that the accompanying license agreement expressly permits.
Not stated here
The terms of any particular license agreement are not supplied, so what a given license permits is unknown.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Software downloaded for the U.S. Government is provided with Restricted Rights
Any Software downloaded from the Services for or on behalf of the United States of America, its agencies or instrumentalities (the "U.S. Government") is provided with Restricted Rights. Use, duplication or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions set out in the federal acquisition provisions the text cites, DFARS 252.227-7013 subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) or 48 CFR 52.227-19 subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2), as applicable. The text names Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 as the manufacturer.
Supporting quotations
Any Software which is downloaded from the Services for or on behalf of the United States of America, its agencies and/or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government"), is provided with Restricted Rights.
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable.
Manufacturer is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399.
Qualifications & exceptions
This applies to Software downloaded for or on behalf of the U.S. Government, not to other users.
Not stated here
The cited regulations are not supplied here, so their detailed restrictions are not explained.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Documents such as white papers may be used if notices are kept, use is non-commercial and nothing is modified
Microsoft grants permission to use Documents (such as white papers, press releases, datasheets and FAQs) from the Services, provided that (1) the copyright notice and the permission notice appear in all copies; (2) unless the Documents are explicitly covered by another license or agreement, use is for informational and non-commercial or personal purposes only and the Documents are not copied or posted on any network computer or broadcast in any media; and (3) no modifications are made to any Documents. Accredited educational institutions, such as K-12, universities, private and public colleges and state community colleges, may download and reproduce the Documents for distribution in the classroom, while distribution outside the classroom requires express written permission. Microsoft states that use for any other purpose is expressly prohibited by law and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and that violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.
Supporting quotations
Permission to use Documents (such as white papers, press releases, datasheets and FAQs) from the Services is granted
(1) the below copyright notice appears in all copies and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice appear
(2) unless explicitly covered by another license or agreement, use of such Documents from the Services is for informational and non-commercial or personal use only and will not be copied or posted on any network computer or broadcast in any media
(3) no modifications of any Documents are made
Accredited educational institutions, such as K-12, universities, private/public colleges, and state community colleges, may download and reproduce the Documents for distribution in the classroom.
Distribution outside the classroom requires express written permission.
Use for any other purpose is expressly prohibited by law, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.
Qualifications & exceptions
The three conditions are joined together, so the permission depends on all three being met.
Condition (2)'s non-commercial and no-posting limits do not apply to Documents explicitly covered by another license or agreement.
The classroom reproduction right is stated for accredited educational institutions; distribution outside the classroom needs express written permission.
Not stated here
The text refers to "the below copyright notice", but no copyright notice appears in the supplied text, so its wording is unknown.
"Documents" is described with examples ("such as"), and the text does not list every kind of document covered.
Microsoft website design, layout, logos, graphics, sounds and images may not be copied without express permission
The permission to use Documents does not include the design or layout of the Microsoft.com website or any other site Microsoft owns, operates, licenses or controls. Microsoft says elements of its websites are protected by trade dress, trademark, unfair competition and other laws and may not be copied or imitated in whole or in part. No logo, graphic, sound or image from any Microsoft website may be copied or retransmitted unless Microsoft expressly permits it.
Supporting quotations
Documents specified above do not include the design or layout of the Microsoft.com website or any other Microsoft owned, operated, licensed or controlled site.
Elements of Microsoft websites are protected by trade dress, trademark, unfair competition, and other laws and may not be copied or imitated in whole or in part.
No logo, graphic, sound or image from any Microsoft website may be copied or retransmitted unless expressly permitted by Microsoft.
Qualifications & exceptions
The only stated exception for logos, graphics, sounds and images is express permission from Microsoft.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Software is warranted, if at all, only under its license agreement; Microsoft disclaims all other warranties on software
Software is warranted, if at all, only according to the terms of the license agreement. Except as warranted in that license agreement, Microsoft Corporation disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to the software, including all warranties and conditions of merchantability, whether express, implied or statutory, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement. The license agreement that governs downloaded Software is the one that accompanies or is included with it, if any.
Supporting quotations
Software is warranted, if at all, only according to the terms of the license agreement.
Except as warranted in the license agreement, Microsoft corporation hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to the software, including all warranties and conditions of merchantability, whether express, implied or statutory, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement.
Use of the Software is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is included with the Software ("License Agreement").
Qualifications & exceptions
"If at all" and "Except as warranted in the license agreement": any software warranty comes only from the license agreement.
The disclaimer covers express, implied and statutory warranties and conditions.
Not stated here
The warranties in any particular license agreement are not supplied here.
This sentence says "the software" in lowercase rather than the defined term "Software"; the text does not say whether it reaches beyond Software downloaded from the Services.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Microsoft gives no assurance its tools and utilities give accurate results, and asks you to respect others' IP rights
Microsoft says that, for your convenience, it may make tools and utilities available as part of the services or in its software products for use and/or download. It does not make any assurances about the accuracy of the results or output that comes from using those tools and utilities. It asks you to respect the intellectual property rights of others when using them.
Supporting quotations
For your convenience, Microsoft may make available as part of the services or in its software products, tools and utilities for use and/or download.
Microsoft does not make any assurances with regard to the accuracy of the results or output that derives from such use of any such tools and utilities.
Please respect the intellectual property rights of others when using the tools and utilities made available on the services or in Microsoft software products.
Qualifications & exceptions
Making tools and utilities available is something Microsoft "may" do, as a convenience, not a commitment.
The disclaimer is about the accuracy of the results or output from using the tools and utilities.
Not stated here
The text does not name which tools and utilities are meant.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Documents and graphics are provided "as is"; warranties are disclaimed and liability for the information is limited
Microsoft and/or its suppliers make no representations about the suitability, for any purpose, of the information in the documents and related graphics published as part of the services. Those documents and graphics are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, and Microsoft and/or its suppliers disclaim all warranties and conditions about this information, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement, whether express, implied or statutory. In no event will Microsoft and/or its suppliers be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information available from the services.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft and/or its respective suppliers make no representations about the suitability of the information contained in the documents and related graphics published as part of the services for any purpose.
All such documents and related graphics are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.
Microsoft and/or its respective suppliers hereby disclaim all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, including all warranties and conditions of merchantability, whether express, implied or statutory, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement.
In no event shall Microsoft and/or its respective suppliers be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortious action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information available from the services.
Permission to use Documents (such as white papers, press releases, datasheets and FAQs) from the Services is granted
Qualifications & exceptions
The disclaimers and the liability limit cover both Microsoft and its suppliers.
The damages limit covers special, indirect or consequential damages and any damages resulting from loss of use, data or profits, in contract, negligence or other tort.
Not stated here
This paragraph says "documents and related graphics" in lowercase; the Documents permission defines Documents by examples, and the text does not say whether the two are exactly the same set.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice
Published documents may contain errors, and Microsoft may change the information or described products at any time
Microsoft says the documents and related graphics published on the services could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. It says changes are periodically added to the information, and that Microsoft and/or its suppliers may make improvements or changes to the products or programs described at any time.
Supporting quotations
The documents and related graphics published on the services could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.
Changes are periodically added to the information herein.
Microsoft and/or its respective suppliers may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described herein at any time.
Qualifications & exceptions
The text says documents "could" contain errors; it does not say they do.
Changes to the described products or programs may be made "at any time".
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Microsoft and its suppliers are not liable for special, indirect or consequential damages or lost use, data or profits
Microsoft says that in no event will it and/or its suppliers be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits. This applies whether the claim is in contract, negligence or other tort, and to damages arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of software, documents, provision of or failure to provide services, or information available from the services.
Supporting quotations
In no event shall Microsoft and/or its respective suppliers be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortious action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of software, documents, provision of or failure to provide services, or information available from the services.
Qualifications & exceptions
The limit protects Microsoft "and/or its respective suppliers".
It applies to claims in contract, negligence or other tort.
It covers use or performance of software, documents, the provision of or failure to provide services, and information available from the services.
Not stated here
This section lists no exceptions and no cap on other kinds of damages; whether other terms or laws change the limit is not stated in this text.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
If a Service needs an account, give accurate details; you are responsible for your password and all account activity
If any of the Services requires you to open an account, you must complete registration by providing current, complete and accurate information as prompted by the registration form, and you also choose a password and a user name. You are entirely responsible for keeping your password and account confidential and for any and all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify Microsoft immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security. You may not use anyone else's account at any time without the permission of the account holder.
Supporting quotations
If any of the Services requires you to open an account, you must complete the registration process by providing us with current, complete and accurate information as prompted by the applicable registration form.
You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account.
Furthermore, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account.
You agree to notify Microsoft immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security.
You may not use anyone else's account at any time, without the permission of the account holder.
Qualifications & exceptions
This applies only where a Service requires you to open an account.
Responsibility covers all activity under your account, not only what you did yourself.
Using another person's account requires that account holder's permission.
Not stated here
The text does not define "immediately" or say what follows if you notify late.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Microsoft is not liable for your losses if someone else uses your account, but you could be liable for others' losses
Microsoft says it will not be liable for any loss you may incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, whether or not you knew about it. However, the text says you could be held liable for losses incurred by Microsoft or another party because someone else used your account or password.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft will not be liable for any loss that you may incur as a result of someone else using your password or account, either with or without your knowledge.
However, you could be held liable for losses incurred by Microsoft or another party due to someone else using your account or password.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Either with or without your knowledge": Microsoft's disclaimer applies whether or not you knew of the use.
"Could be held liable" is permissive wording; it does not say that liability will always follow.
Not stated here
The text does not say how much you could owe or how that would be decided.
Security & Safeguards · Restriction or exception
You may not use the Services unlawfully, harm Microsoft systems, gain unauthorized access or take unprovided materials
As a condition of using the Services, you will not use them for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms, conditions and notices. You may not use the Services in a way that could damage, disable, overburden or impair any Microsoft server or the networks connected to one, or interfere with any other party's use and enjoyment of any Services. You may not try to gain unauthorized access to any Services, other accounts, or computer systems or networks connected to a Microsoft server or to the Services, through hacking, password mining or any other means. You may not obtain or try to obtain materials or information through any means not intentionally made available through the Services.
Supporting quotations
As a condition of your use of the Services, you will not use the Services for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms, conditions, and notices.
You may not use the Services in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair any Microsoft server, or the network(s) connected to any Microsoft server, or interfere with any other party's use and enjoyment of any Services.
You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any Services, other accounts, computer systems or networks connected to any Microsoft server or to any of the Services, through hacking, password mining or any other means.
You may not obtain or attempt to obtain any materials or information through any means not intentionally made available through the Services.
Qualifications & exceptions
The ban on unlawful use also covers purposes "prohibited by these terms, conditions, and notices", so notices outside this text may add to it.
The unauthorized-access ban applies "through hacking, password mining or any other means", so it is not limited to those methods.
Not stated here
The "notices" mentioned are not identified in the supplied text.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
You may not attempt to copy, change or otherwise modify the Services or these Terms
You may not attempt to copy or change, alter or otherwise attempt to modify the Services or these Terms of Use.
Supporting quotations
You may not attempt to copy or change, alter or otherwise attempt to modify the Services or these TOU.
Qualifications & exceptions
The restriction is on attempts, as well as on completed changes.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Communication Services such as email, forums and chat may be used only for proper, relevant messages and material
Microsoft says the Services may include e-mail, bulletin boards, chat areas, news groups, forums, communities, personal web pages, calendars, photo albums, file cabinets and other communication facilities designed to let you communicate with others, which the text calls "Communication Services". You agree to use them only to post, send and receive messages and material that are proper and, when applicable, related to the particular Communication Service. A list of things you agree not to do follows, introduced as examples and not as a limit.
Supporting quotations
The Services may contain e-mail services, bulletin board services, chat areas, news groups, forums, communities, personal web pages, calendars, photo albums, file cabinets and/or other message or communication facilities designed to enable you to communicate with others (each a "Communication Service" and collectively "Communication Services").
You agree to use the Communication Services only to post, send and receive messages and material that are proper and, when applicable, related to the particular Communication Service.
By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using the Communication Services, you will not:
Qualifications & exceptions
The list of prohibited acts that follows is introduced "by way of example, and not as a limitation", so other conduct can also be improper.
Material must be "related to the particular Communication Service" only "when applicable".
Not stated here
"Proper" is not defined in the text.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
On Communication Services you may not send spam or unsolicited messages, or advertise for business unless allowed
When using the Communication Services you agree not to use them in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages, whether commercial or otherwise. You also agree not to advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless the particular Communication Service specifically allows such messages. This fits the general rule that, unless otherwise specified, the Services are for personal and non-commercial use.
Supporting quotations
Use the Communication Services in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless such Communication Services specifically allows such messages.
Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use.
Qualifications & exceptions
The ban on advertising or offering to buy or sell for a business purpose has one stated exception: where the Communication Service specifically allows such messages.
The ban on duplicative or unsolicited messages applies whether they are commercial or not.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
On Communication Services you may not harass, defame, post obscene or unlawful material, spread malware or break the law
When using the Communication Services you agree not to: defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate others' legal rights, such as rights of privacy and publicity; publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information; upload files that contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files or any similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property; restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Communication Services; or violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Supporting quotations
Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information.
Upload files that contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Communication Services.
Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Qualifications & exceptions
The malware ban covers software or programs "that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another".
The legal-rights ban gives privacy and publicity rights only as examples ("such as").
Not stated here
"Inappropriate" and "profane" are not defined in the text.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
On Communication Services you may not upload or use infringing material, or strip copyright management information
When using the Communication Services you agree not to upload or make available files that contain images, photographs, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights or have received all necessary consent. You also agree not to use any material or information, including images or photographs, made available through the Services in a way that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or other proprietary right of any party; not to download a file posted by another user that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally reproduced, displayed, performed and/or distributed in that manner; and not to falsify or delete copyright management information, such as author attributions, legal or other proper notices, or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material in an uploaded file.
Supporting quotations
Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consent to do the same.
Use any material or information, including images or photographs, which are made available through the Services in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
Download any file posted by another user of a Communication Service that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally reproduced, displayed, performed, and/or distributed in such manner.
Falsify or delete any copyright management information, such as author attributions, legal or other proper notices or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded.
Qualifications & exceptions
Uploading protected material is allowed if you own or control the rights or have all necessary consent.
The download ban applies to files you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally used in that manner.
The infringement ban is worded as covering material "made available through the Services", not only Communication Services.
Data Access & Collection · Restriction or exception
On Communication Services you may not harvest user information, use false identities or break posted guidelines
When using the Communication Services you agree not to harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses. You also agree not to use, download or otherwise copy, or provide to a person or entity (whether or not for a fee), any directory of users of the Services or other user or usage information, or any portion of it. You agree not to create a false identity to mislead others, and not to violate any code of conduct or other guidelines that apply to a particular Communication Service.
Supporting quotations
Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses.
Use, download or otherwise copy, or provide (whether or not for a fee) to a person or entity any directory of users of the Services or other user or usage information or any portion thereof.
Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
Violate any code of conduct or other guidelines which may be applicable for any particular Communication Service.
Qualifications & exceptions
The directory ban covers providing the information to anyone "whether or not for a fee".
The false-identity ban applies where the purpose is "misleading others".
Not stated here
Any codes of conduct or guidelines for particular Communication Services are not supplied with this document.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Microsoft need not monitor Communication Services but may remove material and end your access any time, without notice
Microsoft says it has no obligation to monitor the Communication Services. However, it reserves the right to review materials posted to them and to remove any materials in its sole discretion. It also reserves the right to terminate your access to any or all of the Communication Services at any time, without notice, for any reason whatsoever.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft has no obligation to monitor the Communication Services.
However, Microsoft reserves the right to review materials posted to the Communication Services and to remove any materials in its sole discretion.
Microsoft reserves the right to terminate your access to any or all of the Communication Services at any time, without notice, for any reason whatsoever.
Qualifications & exceptions
Microsoft's right to review and remove materials is stated as "in its sole discretion".
Termination of access can be "at any time, without notice, for any reason whatsoever" and can cover "any or all" Communication Services.
Not stated here
The text does not say whether Microsoft will tell you why material was removed or access ended.
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Microsoft reserves the right to disclose information it deems necessary for legal demands, and to edit or remove content
Microsoft reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as it deems necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request. It also reserves the right to edit, refuse to post or remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in its sole discretion.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as Microsoft deems necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request
or to edit, refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in Microsoft's sole discretion.
Qualifications & exceptions
The disclosure right is tied to what Microsoft "deems necessary" to satisfy law, regulation, legal process or a governmental request.
"In Microsoft's sole discretion" is stated for editing, refusing to post or removing information or materials.
Not stated here
The text does not say which information could be disclosed, to whom, or whether you would be told. The disclosure wording is not limited to Communication Services.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Be careful sharing personal information in Communication Services; Microsoft disclaims liability for them
Microsoft tells you to always use caution when giving out personally identifiable information about yourself or your children in any Communication Services. It says it does not control or endorse the content, messages or information in Communication Services and therefore specifically disclaims any liability with regard to them and any actions resulting from your participation. It also says managers and hosts are not authorized Microsoft spokespersons and their views do not necessarily reflect Microsoft's.
Supporting quotations
Always use caution when giving out any personally identifiable information about yourself or your children in any Communication Services.
Microsoft does not control or endorse the content, messages or information found in any Communication Services and, therefore, Microsoft specifically disclaims any liability with regard to the Communication Services and any actions resulting from your participation in any Communication Services.
Managers and hosts are not authorized Microsoft spokespersons, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of Microsoft.
Qualifications & exceptions
The disclaimer covers the Communication Services and actions resulting from your participation in them.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
Materials in Communication Services may carry posted usage limits that you must follow if you download them
Materials uploaded to the Communication Services may be subject to posted limitations on usage, reproduction and/or dissemination. You are responsible for adhering to those limitations if you download the materials.
Supporting quotations
Materials uploaded to the Communication Services may be subject to posted limitations on usage, reproduction and/or dissemination; you are responsible for adhering to such limitations if you download the materials.
Qualifications & exceptions
The duty applies if you download the materials.
Not stated here
The posted limitations are not set out in this document.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
AI services are services Microsoft labels or describes as including, using, powered by or being an AI system
Under the AI Services label, Microsoft defines "AI services" as services that are labeled or described by Microsoft as including, using, powered by, or being an Artificial Intelligence ("AI") system. The list items that follow under the AI Services label address these services.
Supporting quotations
are services that are labeled or described by Microsoft as including, using, powered by, or being an Artificial Intelligence
Qualifications & exceptions
Whether a service counts as an AI service depends on how Microsoft labels or describes it.
Not stated here
The text does not list which services are labeled or described as AI services.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
You may not use the AI services to reverse engineer the underlying models or to scrape or extract data from them
You may not use the AI services to discover any underlying components of the models, algorithms and systems; the text's example is that you may not try to determine and remove the weights of models. You also may not use web scraping, web harvesting or web data extraction methods to extract data from the AI services.
Supporting quotations
You may not use the AI services to discover any underlying components of the models, algorithms, and systems.
For example, you may not try to determine and remove the weights of models.
You may not use web scraping, web harvesting, or web data extraction methods to extract data from the AI services.
Qualifications & exceptions
The weights example is introduced with "For example", so the ban on discovering underlying components is wider than that example.
Use & Processing · Restriction or exception
You may not use the AI services, or data from them, to create, train or improve any other AI service
You may not use the AI services, or data from the AI services, to create, train or improve, directly or indirectly, any other AI service.
Supporting quotations
Limits on use of data from the AI Services. You may not use the AI services, or data from the AI services, to create, train, or improve (directly or indirectly) any other AI service.
Qualifications & exceptions
The ban reaches indirect as well as direct creation, training or improvement.
It covers both use of the AI services themselves and use of data from them.
Not stated here
The text does not define "data from the AI services" or say whether it includes the output you receive.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Microsoft processes and stores your AI service inputs and outputs to monitor for and prevent abusive or harmful use
As part of providing the AI services, Microsoft says it will process and store your inputs to the service as well as output from the service, for purposes of monitoring for and preventing abusive or harmful uses or outputs of the service. Separately, Microsoft reserves the right at all times to disclose any information it deems necessary to satisfy law, regulation, legal process or a governmental request; this text does not say whether that right reaches AI inputs and outputs.
Supporting quotations
Use of Your Content. As part of providing the AI services, Microsoft will process and store your inputs to the service as well as output from the service, for purposes of monitoring for and preventing abusive or harmful uses or outputs of the service.
Microsoft reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as Microsoft deems necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request
Qualifications & exceptions
The stated purpose is "monitoring for and preventing abusive or harmful uses or outputs of the service".
Both your inputs and the service's output are processed and stored.
Not stated here
No retention period is stated.
The text does not say whether inputs and outputs are used for any other purpose, whether they count as Submissions under the Materials Provided section, or how the Privacy Statement applies; the Privacy Statement is not supplied here.
The text does not say whether the general disclosure right reaches AI inputs and outputs.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
You alone must respond to third-party claims about your use of the AI services, such as copyright claims
The AI services section says you are solely responsible for responding to any third-party claims regarding your use of the AI services in compliance with applicable laws, including, but not limited to, copyright infringement or other claims relating to content output during your use of the AI services.
Supporting quotations
Third party claims. You are solely responsible for responding to any third-party claims regarding your use of the AI services in compliance with applicable laws (including, but not limited to, copyright infringement or other claims relating to content output during your use of the AI services).
Qualifications & exceptions
Copyright infringement and claims about content output are named as examples ("including, but not limited to").
The responsibility is stated as "solely" yours.
Not stated here
The phrase "in compliance with applicable laws" could describe your use or how you respond; the text does not settle which.
This text mentions no help or defense from Microsoft for such claims.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Microsoft does not claim ownership of your Submissions but you give it and its affiliates a license to use them
Microsoft says it does not claim ownership of the materials you provide to Microsoft (including feedback and suggestions) or post, upload, input or submit to any Services for review by the general public or by the members of any public or private community, each called a "Submission". However, by posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting ("Posting") a Submission you grant Microsoft, its affiliated companies and necessary sublicensees permission to use it in connection with the operation of their Internet businesses, including all Microsoft Services. That includes, without limitation, license rights to copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat your Submission; to publish your name in connection with it; and to sublicense those rights to any supplier of the Services.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft does not claim ownership of the materials you provide to Microsoft (including feedback and suggestions) or post, upload, input or submit to any Services or its associated services for review by the general public, or by the members of any public or private community, (each a "Submission" and collectively "Submissions").
However, by posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting ("Posting") your Submission you are granting Microsoft, its affiliated companies and necessary sublicensees permission to use your Submission in connection with the operation of their Internet businesses (including, without limitation, all Microsoft Services), including, without limitation, the license rights to: copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat your Submission; to publish your name in connection with your Submission; and the right to sublicense such rights to any supplier of the Services.
Qualifications & exceptions
The list of license rights is introduced by "including, without limitation", so it is not complete.
The permission is for use "in connection with the operation of their Internet businesses (including, without limitation, all Microsoft Services)".
It covers Microsoft's affiliated companies and necessary sublicensees as well as Microsoft.
Not stated here
The definition of Submission joins materials you provide to Microsoft with materials posted for review by the public or a community; the text does not say whether that last phrase limits both kinds.
Apart from Images, the text does not say how long this license lasts or whether it ends if you remove a Submission.
Content & IP Rights · Company practice
Microsoft pays nothing for use of your Submission, need not post or use it, and may remove it at any time
Microsoft says no compensation will be paid for the use of your Submission as described in these Terms. It is under no obligation to post or use any Submission you provide, and it may remove any Submission at any time in its sole discretion.
Supporting quotations
No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of your Submission, as provided herein.
Microsoft is under no obligation to post or use any Submission you may provide and Microsoft may remove any Submission at any time in its sole discretion.
Qualifications & exceptions
Removal is "at any time" and "in its sole discretion".
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
By Posting a Submission you warrant that you own or control all the rights needed to provide it
By Posting a Submission you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to your Submission as described in these Terms, including all the rights necessary for you to provide, post, upload, input or submit it.
Supporting quotations
By Posting a Submission you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to your Submission as described in these Terms of Use including, without limitation, all the rights necessary for you to provide, post, upload, input or submit the Submissions.
Qualifications & exceptions
The warranty is made by the act of Posting.
Content & IP Rights · Restriction or exception
If you Post Images you also warrant you have permission, hold the needed rights, and that anyone depicted has consented
Posting a Submission that contains images, photographs, pictures or other graphics ("Images") adds further warranties from you. (a) You are the copyright owner of the Images, or the owner has given you permission to use them consistent with the manner and purpose of your use and as these Terms and the Services allow. (b) You have the rights necessary to grant the licenses and sublicenses described in these Terms. (c) Each person depicted, if any, has consented to the use of the Images as set out in the Terms, including, as examples, distribution, public display and reproduction.
Supporting quotations
In addition to the warranty and representation set forth above, by Posting a Submission that contain images, photographs, pictures or that are otherwise graphical in whole or in part ("Images"), you warrant and represent that (a) you are the copyright owner of such Images, or that the copyright owner of such Images has granted you permission to use such Images or any content and/or images contained in such Images consistent with the manner and purpose of your use and as otherwise permitted by these Terms of Use and the Services, (b) you have the rights necessary to grant the licenses and sublicenses described in these Terms of Use, and (c) that each person depicted in such Images, if any, has provided consent to the use of the Images as set forth in these Terms of Use, including, by way of example, and not as a limitation, the distribution, public display and reproduction of such Images.
Qualifications & exceptions
Consent is required from each person depicted, "if any" are depicted.
The distribution, public display and reproduction uses are given as examples, not a limit.
Content & IP Rights · Permission or license
Posted Images carry a license for your community or the public; it ends when you completely remove them, with limits
By Posting Images you grant permission to use them in connection with use, as these Terms permit, of any of the Services: (a) to all members of your private community, for Images available to that private community, and/or (b) to the general public, for Images available anywhere on the Services other than a private community. The text says this includes, as examples, making prints and gift items that include the Images, and a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free license to copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat the Images without your name attached, with the right to sublicense those rights to any supplier of the Services. The licenses for an Image terminate when you completely remove it from the Services, but that termination does not affect licenses granted in connection with the Image before then. No compensation is paid for the use of your Images.
Supporting quotations
By Posting Images, you are granting (a) to all members of your private community (for each such Images available to members of such private community), and/or (b) to the general public (for each such Images available anywhere on the Services, other than a private community), permission to use your Images in connection with the use, as permitted by these Terms of Use, of any of the Services
(including, by way of example, and not as a limitation, making prints and gift items which include such Images)
a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free license to: copy, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, reproduce, edit, translate and reformat your Images without having your name attached to such Images, and the right to sublicense such rights to any supplier of the Services.
The licenses granted in the preceding sentences for a Images will terminate at the time you completely remove such Images from the Services, provided that, such termination shall not affect any licenses granted in connection with such Images prior to the time you completely remove such Images.
No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of your Images.
Qualifications & exceptions
Who receives the permission depends on where the Image is available: members of your private community and/or the general public.
Ending the license requires you to "completely remove" the Images from the Services, and it does not undo licenses granted before removal.
Your name need not be attached to the Images when they are used.
Not stated here
The sentence names community members and the general public as recipients of the permission and does not name Microsoft; the text does not say how this license relates to the license in favor of Microsoft in the Submissions paragraph.
The text does not say what counts as completely removing Images, for example copies already shared or sublicensed.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Copyright infringement notices go to the Service Provider's Designated Agent; a linked page gives the procedure
The text says that, pursuant to Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c)(2), notifications of claimed copyright infringement should be sent to the Service Provider's Designated Agent, and that inquiries not relevant to the procedure will not receive a response. It points to a linked page, "Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Copyright Infringement", for the procedure.
Supporting quotations
Pursuant to Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c)(2), notifications of claimed copyright infringement should be sent to Service Provider's Designated Agent.
All inquiries not relevant to the following procedure will not receive a response.
See [Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Copyright Infringement](http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyrtinfrg.aspx).
Qualifications & exceptions
Only inquiries relevant to the procedure will receive a response.
Not stated here
The Designated Agent's name and contact details do not appear in the supplied text, and the linked procedure page is not supplied.
The text refers to "Service Provider" without naming the entity in this paragraph.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Microsoft is not responsible for linked third-party sites or transmissions from them; a link is not an endorsement
The text says links in the relevant area let you leave Microsoft's site. Linked sites are not under Microsoft's control, and Microsoft says it is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, for any link contained in a linked site, or for any changes or updates to such sites. It is also not responsible for webcasting or any other transmission received from a linked site. It provides the links only as a convenience, and including a link does not imply endorsement of the site.
Supporting quotations
The linked sites are not under the control of Microsoft and Microsoft is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites.
Microsoft is not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site.
Microsoft is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Microsoft of the site.
The links in this area will let you leave Microsoft's site.
Qualifications & exceptions
The links are described as provided "only as a convenience".
Responsibility is disclaimed for content, links within linked sites, changes to those sites, and webcasts or other transmissions from them.
Content & IP Rights · Company practice
Microsoft does not accept unsolicited ideas and gives no assurance of confidentiality if you send them anyway
Microsoft says that it and its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, including ideas for new advertising campaigns, promotions, products or technologies, processes, materials, marketing plans or product names, and asks you not to send original creative artwork, samples, demos or other works. It says the sole purpose of the policy is to avoid misunderstandings or disputes where its products or marketing strategies might seem similar to ideas submitted. If you send ideas and materials anyway, Microsoft makes no assurances that they will be treated as confidential or proprietary. Separately, the Materials Provided section covers feedback and suggestions you provide to Microsoft as Submissions, for which you grant a license and for which no compensation is paid.
Supporting quotations
Microsoft or any of its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, including ideas for new advertising campaigns, new promotions, new products or technologies, processes, materials, marketing plans or new product names.
Please do not send any original creative artwork, samples, demos, or other works.
The sole purpose of this policy is to avoid potential misunderstandings or disputes when Microsoft's products or marketing strategies might seem similar to ideas submitted to Microsoft.
If, despite our request that you not send us your ideas and materials, you still send them, please understand that Microsoft makes no assurances that your ideas and materials will be treated as confidential or proprietary.
Microsoft does not claim ownership of the materials you provide to Microsoft (including feedback and suggestions)
No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of your Submission, as provided herein.
Qualifications & exceptions
The no-confidentiality statement applies to ideas and materials sent despite the request not to.
The list of idea types is introduced by "including", so it is not a complete list.
Not stated here
The text does not say whether an unsolicited idea sent anyway counts as a Submission under the Materials Provided section, so whether the license and no-compensation terms there apply is not stated.