MasterCard Rules (PDF)

Trademarks and Service Marks
4.2 General Rules for Use of the Mark
4.2.10.2 In Merchant Advertising
A Merchant is prohibited from using the Card face design to indicate acceptance
in Merchant advertising or other signage, other than signage for a Co-brand
Program in which the Merchant is a Co-brand Partner. A Merchant may display
an Issuer-specific Card face design in Merchant advertising and any other
signage that is not used to signify acceptance.
4.2.10.3 In Statement Enclosures
The Card face design must be displayed on statement enclosures used to offer
goods or services to cardholders through the use of a Customer’s Card. The
MasterCard Brand Mark may be used in lieu of the Card face design if the
Customer’s name is displayed on the statement enclosure.
4.2.11 Use of the MasterCard Brand Mark on Other Cards
The MasterCard Brand Mark may not be used on a promotional card or other
card without the prior written consent of the Corporation.
4.2.12 Use of a Competing Mark on Cards
Unless expressly permitted by the Corporation, none of the following marks or
any similar or related mark, or any mark owned by or affiliated with one of
these entities, may appear on a Card:
1. American Express
2. JCB
3. Diners Club
4. Discover
5. Visa
6. Any other name, logo, or mark identifying or in any way associated with
a payment service that the Corporation deems to be competitive with any
MasterCard product or Program.
Any such competitor’s credit or debit POI mark, logo, or name, regardless of
whether registered, may not appear on a Card, nor may a payment application
of any such competitor reside on the magnetic stripe or chip of a Card. The
appearance of the PLUS brand mark or the PLUS word mark on the back of a
Card is permitted where there is an effective PLUS agreement with the Issuer
executed before July 1996.
©1969–2012 MasterCard. Proprietary. All rights reserved.
4-8 12 December 2012 • MasterCard Rules