[odf-discuss] Ecma Approves Office Open XML

[Lars D. Noodén]

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006, Alex Hudson wrote:

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

That goes without saying.  The problem, even for just MOOX and not looking 
at ODF, is that the software patents can be used to limit interoperability 
and/or competition.  We're not dealing with a vendor with a clean 
reputation in this area, but instead one with several decades of court 
documented predatory business methods, including illegal marketing methods 
and abuse of established monopolies.  Getting some usable license for MOOX 
is not likely to happen any time soon.

Even if it were to happen, in addition to the US-based software patents, 
as Ian and others (e.g. Cory Doctorow) point out, the Information 
Restrictions Managment (IRM/DRM) technologies add yet another layer 
through which the vendors and platforms which support MOOX can be limited 
or controlled.

-Lars

Lars Noodén
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