If you look at files in Windows Explorer, a DOC file has it's icon, a PDF, etc. That is if the application is installed on the computer.
Are these icons copyright protected or can they be use in applications?
Reason is: I want to show a standard "Word Document" icon for a .doc file to the user, even if Word is not installed on the current computer.
Not programming related, and IANAL, but yes, they are copyrighted, and you cannot bundle them with your software.
That said, in most cases, the OS will provide some default representation. On my computers, I see an open office icon with .doc files.
Microsoft Corporation (or based on where you live, one of its affiliates) licenses this supplement to you. You may use a copy of this supplement with each validly licensed copy of Microsoft 2007 Office System Desktop Application software (the “software”). You may not use the supplement if you do not have a license for the software. The license terms for the software apply to your use of this supplement. To read the license terms, go to the “Help” menu in the software. Microsoft provides support services for the supplement as described at www.support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx.
I'm guessing that the same copyrights apply in the standard icons. But that's just a guess...
I think yes it's copyrighted, but there are a lot of similar Icons on the web you can use.
Icons, rights? What could possibly be more relevant than http://www.iconfinder.net/
It depends on the jurisdiction - in most places, Copyright is automatic and doesn't have to be asserted.
In fact you should always assume Copyright applies to an image or icon.
Only when there's a statement that copyright is not claimed can you assume it's free to use.
I don't know if MS would object to your applying an 'openoffice' icon to one of their Word files.