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Terms of Use

Last updated: March, 2006

Microsoft Corporation is hosting OpenXmlDeveloper.org in connection with the creation of the OpenXML Formats developer group. The OpenXML Formats developer group seeks to enable and encourage broad participation and development of solutions using the Open XML Formats, on any platform, as described in the fact sheet at www.openxmldeveloper.org/articles/CommunityGoals.aspx.

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS.
All use of this web site is subject to the following Terms of Use ("TOU"). We reserve the right to update these TOU at any time without notice to you. The most current version of the TOU can be reviewed by clicking on the "Terms of Use" hypertext link located at the bottom of our web pages.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
Throughout this web site, Microsoft provides you with access to a variety of resources, including download areas, communication forums, work spaces and information (collectively "Services"). The Services, including any updates, enhancements, and/or new features, are subject to these TOU.

NON-COMMERCIAL USE LIMITATION.
Unless otherwise specified, the Services are intended for non-commercial, educational use only.

PRIVACY AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION.
See the Privacy Statement disclosures relating to the collection and use of your information.

THIRD PARTY MATERIALS.
Any documentation, software, samples and/or associated files (collectively, “Materials”) that are provided by users of the Services are the sole responsibility of such users. Microsoft is not responsible for, and has no affiliation with, any Materials provided by any other users of the Services. Microsoft enables you to access these Materials only as a convenience, and the inclusion of such Materials within the Services does not imply endorsement by Microsoft of such items.

NOTICE SPECIFIC TO SOFTWARE AND OTHER MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THIS WEB SITE.
Any software that is made available to download from the Services ("Software") is the copyrighted work of Microsoft, its suppliers and/or other users of the Services. Use of any Software is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is included with the Software ("License Agreement"). If you receive any Software that is not accompanied by a License Agreement, then the provider of that Software grants to you a non-exclusive, revocable, personal, non-transferable license to reference such software solely for informational, non-commercial purposes.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, 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.

RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND. Any Software of Microsoft 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.

NOTICE SPECIFIC TO DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON THIS WEB SITE.
Permission to use Documents (such as white papers, press releases, datasheets and FAQs) of Microsoft that are made available via the Services is granted, provided that (1) the below copyright notice appears in all copies and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice appear, (2) 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, and (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.

Documents specified above do not include the design or layout of any Microsoft owned, operated, licensed or controlled site. Elements of Microsoft web sites 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 web site may be copied or retransmitted unless expressly permitted by Microsoft.

DISCLAIMERS; LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY.
SOFTWARE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICES IS WARRANTED, IF AT ALL, ONLY ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF ITS LICENSE AGREEMENT, IF ANY. THE SERVICES, INCLUDING ALL SOFTWARE AND OTHER MATERIALS MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICES ARE OTHERWISE PROVIDED “AS-IS,” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, AND MICROSOFT AND ANY USERS PROVIDING MATERIALS AND/OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO ANY SUCH SERVICES, SOFTWARE OR OTHER MATERIALS, 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 OR ANY USER PROVIDING MATERIALS OR THEIR 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 THE SERVICES, SOFTWARE, MATERIALS, OR OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE SERVICES.

NO UNLAWFUL OR PROHIBITED USE.
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.

USE OF SERVICES.
The Services may contain bulletin board services, chat areas, forums, communities, personal web pages, 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:

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).
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, 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.
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.
Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless such Communication Services specifically allows such messages.
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.
Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Communication Services.
Violate any code of conduct or other guidelines which may be applicable for any particular Communication Service.
Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses.
Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
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.

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. Microsoft is not responsible for loss of, access to, deletion, alteration, or restoration of any materials associated with a Communication 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, or to edit, refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in Microsoft's sole discretion.

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.

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.

MATERIALS PROVIDED TO MICROSOFT OR POSTED AT ANY MICROSOFT WEB SITE.
Microsoft does not claim ownership of the materials you 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 a "Submission" and collectively "Submissions"). However, by posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting ("Posting") your Submission you understand and agree that you’re giving a license under your intellectual property rights to all authorized users to reference your Submissions for informational, non-commercial purposes, unless you grant broader rights via a separate License Agreement. In addition, you’re giving Microsoft all the necessary rights to make your Submission(s) available on this web site.

No compensation will be paid with respect to the use of any of your Submissions as provided herein.

By Posting a Submission you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to your Submission including, without limitation, all the rights necessary for you to provide, post, upload, input or submit the Submission.

NOTICES AND PROCEDURE FOR MAKING CLAIMS OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.
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 .

LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES.
LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEB SITES WILL LET YOU LEAVE MICROSOFT'S WEB SITE. 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 ANY THIRD PARTY WEB SITE.

TRADEMARKS. Trademark information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/library/toolbar/3.0/trademarks/en-us.mspx

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

Send your questions to the appropriate contact as listed below:

Piracy questions can be routed to piracy@microsoft.com or by calling 1-800-R-U-LEGIT.