[odf-discuss] Ecma Approves Office Open XML

[Alex Hudson]

Lars D. Noodén wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Dec 2006, Alex Hudson wrote:
>> Well, the control is a separate issue - they only have control until
>> it's ratified by ISO, that's the problem.
>
> Not necessarily, I can't picture the MOOX format staying as is
> especially given the rush to slap it together, get it out the door and
> rubberstamped by Ecma.  So the ongoing development process will still
> be under control of a closed system.

Well, that's not what the TC charter says. It says that if OXML is
accepted by ISO, the Ecma TC will assume responsibility for the future
development of the standard. Microsoft would have to make proposals for
future enhancements in the same way Sun have to at OASIS.

> Then in the US, you have the metric ass-load of sw patents including
> basic computer science methods like serialization.  MS still hasn't
> come clean about allowing use of them.  Anyone known to be using MOOX
> will be known to be treading on those sw patents and in the US that
> can be used as a legal threat to control useage and/or implementation. 

I can't imagine there are many patents which cover OXML but don't cover
OpenDocument.

-- 
Alex Hudson
IT Director, Stratagia Ltd.
P: 0845 226 17 13     W: http://www.stratagia.co.uk/
F: 0845 226 17 14     E: alex (at) stratagia.co.uk