Can I use modified version of Apple, Android, Windows, and Blackberry logos in commercial advertising to show compatibility?
<p>I am making and commercially reproducing a script that would show textual advertisements based on a user's device.</p>
<p>I want to, beside the text, have an icon showing the device in order to show compatibility with the device. However, I looked into the guidelines by each company and it looks like Android is the only one I would be able to do this with.</p>
<p>In place I have though of using some modified logos, such as the last icon in this image.
<a href="http://orig09.deviantart.net/9015/f/2013/158/1/2/boxed_metal_icons_by_martz90-d684ioq.jpg" rel="noreferrer">http://orig09.deviantart.net/9015/f/2013/158/1/2/boxed_metal_icons_by_martz90-d684ioq.jpg</a></p>
<p>Would this be legal or would that still be copyrighted?</p>
<p>EDIT:
Here are the guidelines from each website.</p>
<p><strong>Apple Guidelines:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<ol start="2">
<li>Apple Logo and Apple-owned Graphic Symbols: <strong>You may not use the Apple Logo</strong> or any other Apple-owned graphic symbol, logo, or icon on or in connection with web sites, products, packaging, manuals, promotional/advertising materials, or for any other purpose <strong>except pursuant to an express written trademark license from Apple, such as a reseller agreement.</strong></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>I think this one is pretty clear.</p>
<p><strong>Microsoft Guidelines:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Third parties may only use the logo without a license under the following limited circumstances:
In advertising, marketing collateral, or a website that references your connection with Microsoft (e.g., the material states that you are an authorized distributor or reseller of Microsoft products) <strong>provided that the area in which the Microsoft logo is used includes the corporate logo of at least 1 other company with which you have a similar relationship.</strong>
In an area of a website, advertising, or marketing collateral exclusively dedicated to the sale of Microsoft products, and in such a manner that associates licensed Microsoft software with the Microsoft logo.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In this one, if the user is on a Windows phone there would not be a corporate logo of any other company on the page.</p>
<p><strong>Blackberry Guidelines:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>BlackBerry owns the BlackBerry family of trademarks. To maintain the distinctiveness of BlackBerry trademarks, logos, and imagery, BlackBerry must ensure these terms are used in a manner that does not imply that an app is affiliated or endorsed by BlackBerry, when in fact there is no such relationship.</p>
<p><strong>You need to have license from BlackBerry, or express written authorization to use BlackBerry trademarks, logos and imagery by third-parties.</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>I do not have enough reputation to post more than two links so for my second link I will post a pastebin containing <a href="http://pastebin.com/raw/ejgGrhyu" rel="noreferrer">sources for the three guidelines.</a></p>

<p>The word "use", for purposes of trademark law, is a term of art meaning it is used in a way that may be a violation of law if not licensed. Not all uses of trademarks are violations. Similarly, there is a difference between using the name of a company and the brand of products or services sold by that company.</p>

<p>In any case, using a trademark or trade name to REFERENCE a company or brand is not a trademark infringement.  For instance, I don't need any license to tell you that I own a Dell or HP or Apple product, or that my software will run on a Dell or HP or Apple product.  The use of a logo is, however, more sensitive and likely to require detailed legal analysis, if not an actual license.</p>

<p>Ill try to update my answer later to include the other brands, but apple permits use of its word mark (not logo) to demonstrate compatibility. </p>

<p>This is usually done by having an IOS icon rather than the apple logo to achieve your desired effect. </p>

<p>Source: <a href="https://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html</a></p>

copyright fair-use