Are default program icons protected by copyright? [closed]

Question

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.

Answer 1

Yes, the icons are copyrighted, in this case by Microsoft.

Answer 2

Office icon gallery

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...