engine - 5:16 pm on Aug 24, 2007 (gmt 0)

From September 10, 2007, Microsoft adCenter will update the AdCenter trademark policy.

The key points are in full on their blog post, however, it looks like it is clarification only to explain about streamlining the process of trademark issues, including reporting and management.

The heart of the trademark policy is unchanged. Microsoft adCenter disallows trademark infringement, and forbids advertisers from bidding on or using trademarked terms in a way that constitutes trademark infringement. Advertisers may not bid on a competitor's trademarked term or use that term in their ad copy. Affiliates and resellers may bid on trademarked terms relevant to the goods, services, or sites that they promote. Microsoft adCenter will no longer attempt to mediate affiliate compliance by creating lists of trademark-owner approved advertisers who can bid on trademarked keywords. Microsoft adCenter will support trademark owners in their efforts to protect their intellectual property. When Microsoft adCenter receives a report of trademark infringement from a trademark owner (or their designate), we will investigate the report and take appropriate action on offending advertisements and advertisers.In some cases, this will mean that an advertiser will be forbidden from using a keyword in the future, and in other cases, it will mean that a particular ad is removed. If the complaint does not warrant action, no action will be taken.

Microsoft have a Trademark Concern Form [support.msn.com] page.

Microsoft adCenter Updates its Trademark Policy [adcenterblog.spaces.live.com]