MasterCard Rules (PDF)

NOTE
Trademarks and Service Marks
4.2 General Rules for Use of the Mark
An addition to this Rule appears in Section 11a, “Canada Region Code of Conduct>>
Related Rules,” Section 12a, “Europe Region Debit-related Rules,” Section 12b,
“SEPA Rules,” Section 10a, “New Zealand Rules,” Section 14a, “South Africa
Rules,” Chapter 15, “United States Region Rules,” Section 15a, “United States
Region Debit-related Rules,” and Section 15b, “United States Region PIN-based
Debit Transaction Rules.”
4.2.7 Use of the MasterCard Word Mark
The MasterCard Word Mark “MasterCard®” must appear in English and must be
spelled correctly and as one word. The letters “M” and “C” must be capitalized.
“MasterCard” must not be abbreviated, hyphenated, used in the plural or
possessive, or translated from English into another language.
4.2.7.1 Use or Registration of “Master” Terminology
Except as expressly permitted in writing by the Corporation, the word “Master”
may not be used or registered as part of a trademark, service mark, corporate
name, business name, or Program name, whether preceding, following or
linked together as one word, or with a hyphen or slash, or in connection with
any financial or bank-related goods or services.
4.2.7.2 Use of MasterCard in a Corporate, Business or Domain Name
The MasterCard Word Mark may not be used as part of a legal, corporate, or
business name, such as “MasterCard® Center, Inc.” No Internet domain name
may be registered that includes the word “MasterCard,” except as expressly
permitted in writing by the Corporation.
4.2.7.3 Use of MasterCard in Text
The MasterCard Word Mark must be used as an adjective (as in “your
MasterCard® card”) in the first or most prominent use subsequent to any use in
the title, headline, signature, or cover page of an offering, unless:
1. the word “MasterCard” is used as part of a Customer’s Program name (as in
“Customer/Program name MasterCard”); or
2. otherwise expressly approved in writing by the Corporation.
Use of the word “MasterCard” as a verb (“MasterCard your gifts”), in plural
(“MasterCards”) or in possessive form is prohibited.
4.2.7.4 Registration Notice
The MasterCard Word Mark must be accompanied by the registration notice ®
or the local law equivalent. (Refer to the reproduction, usage, and artwork
Standards for the correct use and placement of the registration mark.)
©1969–2012 MasterCard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
MasterCard Rules • 12 December 2012 4-5