copyright publishing
Can I use Microsoft Word to write a book that I plan on selling?
<p>One of the most popular document processing software is Microsoft Word. If I write a book using this software, am I legally allowed to sell it without paying royalties to Microsoft?</p>
<p>As far as I'm aware using the software for commercial purposes is not allowed by default. But then I wonder, do all publishers who use Word <em>actually pay Microsoft a share of each and every single book sold</em>?</p>
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<p>PS. I am aware that most publishers use Latex for preparing books. My question is specifically about Microsoft Word.</p>

<p>Can you locate your license (generally not a trivial task)? It may appear under Help-About and a click to view EULA. The EULA specifically addresses redistribution of parts of the software and number of installations you can make with a single license. They do not say what uses you make make of the software, except that &quot;You may not rent, lease, lend or provide commercial hosting services with the Software&quot;. There is no express prohibition against commercial or non-commercial political use of the product: anything not prohibited is allowed. The fact that they say nothing about the content that you create with Word means, they have declined to have a say in the matter. (I am not sure about the wording of the &quot;Educational&quot; versions of Office: those are somewhat negotiated between the institution and MS).</p>

<p>Documents of a commercial nature have been in Word from the beginning. No one would buy it if Microsoft had any claim on one's output.</p>
