Acceptable Use Policy
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Introduction
This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") describes the permitted and prohibited uses of the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) documentation and related services. By accessing or using the MSDN documentation, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Policy. This Policy supplements any other agreements you may have with Microsoft.
Permitted Uses
You may use the MSDN documentation for the following purposes:
- To learn about Microsoft products, technologies, and APIs.
- To develop, test, and deploy applications that integrate with Microsoft products and services.
- To share factual information or code snippets from the documentation in your own projects, provided that you include appropriate attribution where required.
- For academic or educational purposes, including research and teaching.
Prohibited Uses
You agree not to use the MSDN documentation in any manner that:
- Violates any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation.
- Infringes on the intellectual property rights, privacy, or other rights of any third party.
- Is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable.
- Transmits any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," or any other form of solicitation.
- Introduces or contains any virus, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, or other computer programming routines that are intended to damage, detrimentally interfere with, surreptitiously intercept, or expropriate any system, data, or personal information.
- Disrupts or interferes with the security of, or otherwise causes harm to, the MSDN documentation, any related services, or any content, data, or resources connected to them.
- Attempts to gain unauthorized access to any part of the MSDN documentation, other accounts, computer systems, or networks connected to the MSDN documentation, through hacking, password mining, or any other means.
- Modifies, adapts, translates, or creates derivative works based upon the MSDN documentation, except as expressly permitted by Microsoft.
- Reverse engineers, decompiles, or disassembles any portion of the MSDN documentation, except to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
- Uses automated scripts, bots, spiders, or any other unauthorized means to scrape or collect content from the MSDN documentation.
- Republishes, reproduces, or distributes the content of the MSDN documentation in a significant or systematic way without express written permission from Microsoft.
Third-Party Content and Links
The MSDN documentation may contain links to third-party websites or resources. Microsoft is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of these external sites or resources. Your use of third-party sites is subject to their own terms of use and privacy policies.
Intellectual Property
All content within the MSDN documentation, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of Microsoft or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not use any Microsoft trademarks or logos without prior written consent.
Enforcement
Microsoft reserves the right to monitor your use of the MSDN documentation to ensure compliance with this Policy. Violations of this Policy may result in termination of your access to the MSDN documentation and may lead to legal action.
Changes to This Policy
Microsoft may revise this Policy at any time without notice. By continuing to use the MSDN documentation after any such revisions, you agree to be bound by the revised Policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Acceptable Use Policy, please contact us through the official Microsoft support channels.