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A while back, I'd brought up a point on the list about whether a
trademarked word should be used as a possessive. I don't want to rehash
the whole issue again...just thought you might be interested in the
response that Microsoft sent me when I submitted the question to them.
-----Original Message-----
From: Microsoft ContactUs
[mailto:microsoftcom_contactus -at- css -dot- one -dot- microsoft -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 3:20 AM
To: John Posada
Subject: CST143752997ID - RE:Microsoft.Com ContactUS
Hello John,
Thank you for contacting us at Microsoft.com.
You are absolutely correct. Microsoft guidelines stipulate that you
should avoid forming possessives from the following:
- Company names
- Product, service, and technology names
- Feature names
- "Microsoft"
Instead, it is advised that you use the name as an adjective or use an
of construction. Unfortunately, this guideline is often overlooked or
ignored.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to use the guidelines that
Microsoft has developed. By setting a good example as you've done, I
hope your work will inspire others.
Sincerely,
CherylD
Microsoft.com Customer Support
--- Original Message ---
From: jposada -at- isogon -dot- com
To: microsoftcom_contactus -at- css -dot- one -dot- microsoft -dot- com
Sent: Thu Jan 15 14:30:38 PST 2004
Subject: Microsoft.Com ContactUS
Comment: I'm a senior level technical writer and I often write
documentation that includes reference to either Microsoft or a
Microsoft product.
On your web site, and in your book "The Microsoft Manual of Style for
Technical Publications", you specifically mention that a trademark
cannot be in the form a possessive.
However, your Microsoft web site, in more instances than I can count
(and I'm not just talking about chat stuff..I mean pages such as
Investor Relations), use the form "Microsoft's", some times right on
the same page that includes the statement that the term "Microsoft" is
trademarked.
I want to include usage in my documentation that conforms with your
guidelines, but your own content confuses me.
