MasterCard Rules (PDF)

Trademarks and Service Marks
4.2 General Rules for Use of the Mark
No Customer or other Licensee or Sub-licensee may register, attempt to register
or in any way make use of the Marks, or any mark or term that, in the sole
discretion of the Corporation, is deemed to be derivative of, similar to, or in
any way related to a Mark. In particular, no use of a Mark may be made on
or in connection with any card, device or other application associated with a
payment service that the Corporation deems to be competitive with any Activity.
Without limitation, the foregoing shall specifically apply to registration or use of
any mark or term that incorporates, references or otherwise could be confused
or associated with a Mark currently or previously Licensed, Sublicensed or
otherwise used by a Customer, the Customer’s Sub-licensees and permittees
and their respective successors or assignees (including, without limitation,
by virtue of acquisition by merger or otherwise, bankruptcy or voluntary or
involuntary winding-up.)
NOTE
An addition to this Rule appears in Chapter 10, “Asia/Pacific Region Rules”;
Chapter 13, “Latin America and the Caribbean Region Rules”; Chapter 15, “United
States Region Rules.”
4.1.2.1 Registration of a Card Face Design
A Customer or other Licensee must not register or attempt to register any Card
face design that includes the MasterCard Brand Mark.
4.1.3 Misuse of a Mark
Each Customer and other Licensee must promptly notify the Corporation
whenever it learns of any misuse of any Mark or of any attempt to copy or
infringe any of the Marks.
4.2 General Rules for Use of the Mark
4.2.1 Use of the Marks
A Mark may be used only pursuant to a License. This provision applies,
without limitation, to:
1. Use of a Mark for advertising or promotional purposes;
2. Placing orders for card stock or for any other materials bearing a Mark;
3. Displaying a Mark;
4. Issuing Cards;
5. Signing Merchants; and
6. Distributing or affixing decals.
©1969–2012 MasterCard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
4-2 12 December 2012 • MasterCard Rules