options random home http://www.microsoft.com/msdn/library/technote/cov.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)

How to Obtain and Use the "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95" Logo

March 1996

Microsoft Windows Logo Department

Thank you for your interest in licensing the "Designed for Microsoft® Windows® 95" logo! Licensing the logo enables you to use the logo on your product packaging, advertising, collateral, and other marketing materials. This page gives you a brief overview of the process for getting the logo, lists the contents of the Pretest Kit, and contains the four most frequently asked questions from software companies regarding the logo testing process. You can also jump to the Technical Criteria, and the Notes, Updates, and Tips on the Technical Criteria for further information.

The "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95" logo was developed to help users easily identify hardware and software products designed specifically for Windows 95. Users can mix and match hardware and software products designated with the Windows 95 logo and be assured that the products were specially designed to take advantage of the new technologies integrated into the Microsoft® Windows 95 operating system. The logo helps users understand that your product is designed to give them extra benefits when used with Windows 95!

Contents

The Process Overview
The Pretest Kit
The Most Frequently Asked Questions
For More Information

The Process Overview

  1. Get a Pretest Kit. The Pretest Kit is at this Web site; you may also obtain a Pretest Kit by sending e-mail to winlogo@microsoft.com.
    Note: The whole Pretest Kit may be viewed at this Web site; however, there are a few documents that you will need to submit on paper or disk with your application, such as the VeriTest testing agreement, the Windows 95 logo license agreement, the step-by-step instructions (submit all on paper), and the electronic questionnaire (submit on disk). Please make careful note of which documents must be submitted on paper or disk and be sure to include those documents in the required format when you submit your product for testing.
  2. Submit your product to Veritest--this will include the license agreement for the logo and a contract agreement with Veritest. Your signature on the contract does not mean that you can start using the logo. It means you've agreed to the license terms, and are awaiting your product's passage of the tests and Microsoft's signing of the license.
  3. Veritest provides you and Microsoft with test results (unless you want to keep test results confidential from Microsoft, in which case you'll need to release the results to Microsoft when you pass testing). VeriTest also sends Microsoft the license agreement that you signed and submitted with your product to VeriTest.
  4. Microsoft signs the license agreement and sends that along with an artwork kit (that contains electronic and paper copies of the logo and logo usage guidelines) to the person designated as the primary contact in the information you submitted on the electronic questionnaire.
  5. If your company already has products licensed to use the Designed for Windows 95 logo, Microsoft will send you an update to the license after we receive your test results. This update will reflect the addition of the new product(s) to the license. Your signature on this update is required in order to complete the process.
  6. The license allows you to use the logo on packaging, advertising, and promotional materials.

The Pretest Kit

The Pretest Kit contains all the materials you need to get the logo on your product quickly. Before working on your application for the logo license in detail, we recommend that you review the Technical Criteria for the Windows 95 Logo Program, the Notes, Updates and Tips on the Technical Criteria (below) and Pretest Guidelines and Checklist to determine whether your product is ready to submit, and review the Step-by-Step Instructions for Licensing the Windows 95 Logo article (below) for details on how to submit and the testing process.

You may also obtain a Pretest Kit by sending e-mail to winlogo@microsoft.com.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions

How important is the information on the electronic questionnaire?

VERY!!! The information on the disk is used in a number of ways that benefit you:

How long will the process take?

Once you've submitted your product to Veritest, the logo test procedure will require 6 business days at VeriTest and 5 business days at Microsoft.

Is there any way to speed the process up?

There are ways to ensure that there won't be a delay in the process. Prior to submitting your product to VeriTest, we advise you to:

How do I get the artwork now, so I can include it in my packaging and long-lead advertising?

Per FTC regulations, we cannot provide you with the artwork for the logo until you are licensed to use the logo. If you want to use stickers on your box, there is an order form for logo stickers (enclosed with the paper format of the Pretest Kit, and to come soon on this Web site). You can place your orders in advance; however, they will not be filled until you receive license to use the logo.

For More Information

If you have any questions concerning the Windows logo, please fax the Windows Logo Department at (206) 936-7329, Building 20, or send e-mail to winlogo@microsoft.com over the Internet. Logo requirements and related documentation is available via online and fax-back services, as described on the Sources for Information on the Windows Logo Program.

You can also jump to the Official Technical Criteria for the Windows 95 Logo Program, and the Notes, Updates, and Tips on the Technical Criteria on this Web site for further information.

For more information on other Microsoft logo requirements:

See the Microsoft Internet Explorer site

See the BackOffice site and go to the Partner Forum for the "Designed for Microsoft BackOffice" logo program

See the Office site for the "Microsoft Office Compatible" logo program

Once again, thank you for your interest in the Windows logo, and your commitment to the Windows platform!

© 1996 Microsoft Corporation

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