Allow fair use of third-party product names - avoids inconsistent application

[rfreytag]

Non-deceptive usage of third-party brands with products is fair use by Trademark rules [1]. Furthermore, products supporting third-party products must emphasize their supporting/dependent role as shown by many products in the Microsoft Store that incorporate third party products in their name [2].

Microsoft App Store policy bans product names mentioning third-party products [3]. Currently this rule is inconsistently applied by Microsoft Store app reviewers because it isn't clear. Many apps use third-party products in their names.

Clearly, either the rule must change or all products breaking this Store policy require a name change (a bad choice IMO).

Please change Store policy to italicize only the third-party product name in Microsoft Store product titles to clarify they are not part of the actual name. Also require a disclaimer below the product name declaring “ is a product of ”. See pull request on this document: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-dev-docs/pull/4237.

References:

1. See point #2 “Nominative fair use permits use of another’s trademark to refer to the trademark owner’s goods and services associated with the mark.” (https://www.inta.org/fact-sheets/fair-use-of-trademarks-intended-for-a-non-legal-audience/)

2. Here are products currently in the Microsoft Store that accurately and fairly use the name of a third-party product (names are in the URLs)…

   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/prime-video-for-windows/9P6RC76MSMMJ
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/huetro-for-hue/9WZDNCRFJJ3T
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/shrestha-files-pro-x-file-explorer-for-windows/9NPNFFSV2HQM
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/media-cutter-for-windows/9NS1ZMCH63P8
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/7zip-for-windows/XPDNKVCX4QD2DC
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/screen-recorder-for-windows-11/9N9CCD41TFT3
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/ishtar-commander-for-destiny/9PK2Z4MF5MNS
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/notepad-for-windows-10/9NBLGGH4W20K
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/perfect-flicker-best-client-for-flickr/9NBLGGH5170J
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/gin-rummy-deluxe-for-hp/9NBLGGH4XC5C
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/aboards-for-trello/9NBLGGH67DBR
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/screen-recorder-pro-for-win10/9N27GQ6MLS5S
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/yakuza-6-the-song-of-life-for-windows-10/9N9WWM5JXCBZ
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/unigram%E2%80%94telegram-for-windows/9N97ZCKPD60Q
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/oberlo-guide-for-shopify-dropshipers/9N97N185SXM6
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/melosik-music-player-for-windows/9NH759PMH26M
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/yakuza-kiwami-for-windows-10/9P40SC5DQ9K0
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/ghost-overlay-for-destiny-2/9P9MC43CJH63
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/lighter-for-philips-hue-nanoleaf-razer-chroma/9N5WFWP4453S
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/makecode-for-adafruit/9PGZHWSK0PGD
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/cool-screen-recorder-lite-for-windows-10/9N7Q6KFH1WSX
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/yakuza-5-remastered-for-windows-10/9MVX1V7W5SW8
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/for-asus-ballstrike/9WZDNCRFJCQF
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/pdf-editor-for-windows/9NR56JPFM2W2
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/jewel-star-for-hp/9NBLGGH4X9ZJ
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/mrremote-for-kodi/9NBLGGH4QVKX
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/for-asus-nightmares-from-the-deep-the-cursed-heart-free/9WZDNCRDHJD4
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/importer-for-media-pro/9PDH7CX56SH8
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/tutor-for-binance-app/9MWKV2456ZSW
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/document-editor-pro-for-windows/9PJP8SS73VQ3
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/movie-maker-video-editor-for-windows/9NKG9K8F013P
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/final-fantasy-xv-windows-edition-playable-demo/9PNKZMQZB3B6
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/final-fantasy-xv-windows-edition/9NR0N2LZ6TC5
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/ford-f150-raptor-xbox-one-x-edition/9MZSW3LCHMBD
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-for-windows-10/9NBLGGH3SHM5
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/cities-skylines-windows-10-edition/9NWVC7XP3PFD
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/far-changing-tides-windows-edition/9MT3D7Z4NWDV
   • https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/corel-painter-microsoft-store-edition/9NZ9S9NFHMNW

3. See second bullet under 10.1 “Your product must not use a name, images, or any other metadata that is the same as that of other products unless the product is also published by you.” (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/publish/store-policies#101-distinct-function--value-accurate-representation)

[aniketbanerji]

Hi @rfreytag, Store docs may be a good place to post this.