Understanding the Microsoft Publisher Agreement: Key Points for Publishing on the Azure Marketplace

If you're looking to publish your solution on the Azure Marketplace, one of the critical steps you'll encounter is signing the Microsoft Publisher Agreement. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions that govern the relationship between you, as a publisher, and Microsoft. It is a legally binding document that sets the expectations for how your solution will be listed, sold, and supported within the Azure Marketplace. In this blog post, we'll break down some of the key points in the Microsoft Publisher Agreement to help you better understand what you're agreeing to and how it impacts your business.

What is the Microsoft Publisher Agreement?

The Microsoft Publisher Agreement is a comprehensive contract that details the obligations, rights, and responsibilities of both Microsoft and publishers who wish to offer their solutions on the Azure Marketplace. This agreement is designed to ensure a fair and consistent experience for customers and to maintain the quality and integrity of the solutions available on the platform.

Key Points of the Microsoft Publisher Agreement

Here are some of the key aspects of the Microsoft Publisher Agreement that you should be aware of:

1. Solution Requirements and Compliance

One of the primary focuses of the agreement is ensuring that all solutions listed on the Azure Marketplace meet specific standards. Microsoft has established guidelines that your solution must comply with, including technical, security, and legal requirements. These standards are in place to ensure that customers have access to high-quality, reliable, and secure solutions.

• Technical Requirements: Your solution must meet certain performance and compatibility criteria to ensure it works seamlessly within the Azure ecosystem. This includes proper integration with Azure services and adherence to Microsoft's best practices for cloud solutions.
• Security Requirements: Security is a top priority for Microsoft, and as such, your solution must adhere to stringent security guidelines. This includes implementing robust security measures to protect customer data and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Legal Compliance: Your solution must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to data protection, privacy, and intellectual property. Microsoft requires that you take full responsibility for ensuring your solution meets these legal obligations.

2. Intellectual Property Rights

The agreement also covers the intellectual property rights related to your solution. As the publisher, you retain ownership of your intellectual property, but you grant Microsoft certain rights to market, distribute, and sell your solution on the Azure Marketplace.

• Licensing: By signing the agreement, you grant Microsoft a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, host, and distribute your solution. This license allows Microsoft to list your solution on the Azure Marketplace, provide it to customers, and offer related services, such as support and billing.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Microsoft requires that you have the necessary rights and permissions for all content included in your solution. This means you must ensure that your solution does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others and that you have obtained all necessary licenses for third-party components.

3. Revenue Sharing and Payment Terms

A key aspect of the Publisher Agreement is the revenue-sharing model and payment terms. Microsoft operates on a revenue-sharing model, where you receive a percentage of the revenue generated from the sales of your solution on the Azure Marketplace.

• Revenue Share: Microsoft typically takes a percentage, as of 2024 the percentage is 3%, of the revenue from each sale of your solution. The exact percentage can vary, so it's important to review this section of the agreement carefully. The remaining revenue is paid to you as the publisher.
• Payment Terms: Payments are generally made on a regular basis, such as monthly or quarterly, depending on the terms outlined in the agreement. Microsoft will typically remit payments to you based on the revenue generated from sales, minus any applicable taxes and fees.

4. Support and Maintenance Responsibilities

The Publisher Agreement also outlines your responsibilities regarding customer support and solution maintenance. Microsoft expects publishers to provide a high level of support to ensure customer satisfaction.

• Customer Support: You are required to provide technical support to customers who purchase or use your solution. This includes addressing customer inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring that your solution continues to function as expected.
• Solution Maintenance: You are also responsible for maintaining and updating your solution to ensure it remains compatible with Azure services and complies with any new regulations or standards. This may include releasing updates, patches, and new features as necessary.

5. Termination and Removal of Solutions

The agreement specifies the conditions under which Microsoft or the publisher can terminate the agreement or remove a solution from the Azure Marketplace.

• Termination by Publisher: As a publisher, you can choose to terminate the agreement or remove your solution from the Marketplace at any time, provided you follow the procedures outlined in the agreement. However, you must ensure that existing customers are still supported.
• Termination by Microsoft: Microsoft reserves the right to remove your solution from the Marketplace or terminate the agreement if you violate the terms or if your solution no longer meets the required standards. This includes situations where your solution poses a security risk, fails to comply with legal requirements, or receives consistently poor customer feedback.
• Post-Termination Obligations: Even after termination, certain obligations may continue, such as providing support to existing customers and ensuring that any outstanding payments are settled.

6. Marketing and Promotion

Microsoft provides various marketing and promotional opportunities for solutions listed on the Azure Marketplace. The Publisher Agreement outlines the ways in which your solution may be marketed and promoted by Microsoft.

• Marketing Support: Microsoft may offer marketing support to help promote your solution to potential customers. This can include featuring your solution in Marketplace listings, running promotional campaigns, and providing visibility in various Microsoft channels.
• Use of Microsoft Branding: You may be allowed to use certain Microsoft branding and logos in connection with the marketing of your solution, subject to the guidelines provided by Microsoft. This can help enhance the credibility and visibility of your solution.

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection

The Publisher Agreement includes provisions related to confidentiality and data protection to safeguard sensitive information.

• Confidentiality: Both parties are required to maintain the confidentiality of any non-public information shared during the course of the relationship. This includes information about the agreement, your solution, and any customer data.
• Data Protection: You must comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations, including GDPR, when handling customer data. Microsoft expects publishers to implement appropriate measures to protect customer data and ensure its privacy and security.

Publishing your solution on the Azure Marketplace can be a significant opportunity to reach a global audience and grow your business. However, it's essential to understand the terms and conditions outlined in the Microsoft Publisher Agreement before proceeding. By familiarizing yourself with the key points discussed in this blog, you'll be better prepared to navigate the publishing process and ensure that your solution complies with Microsoft's standards.

If you're considering publishing on the Azure Marketplace, take the time to review the full Microsoft Publisher Agreement carefully. It's a crucial step that will set the foundation for a successful partnership with Microsoft and help you achieve your business goals. Reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. where a Microsoft SureStep Ambassador can assist you with any questions that you may have.