[odf-discuss] Microsoft and Novell cooperate on document formats

[Lars D. Noodén]

On Fri, 3 Nov 2006, Alex Hudson wrote:
> That assurance isn't part of the deal; Novell already have it.

Is there a link to a document ?  Or is it verbal assurance...

> I haven't seen an example of any developer who has stopped OXML 
> development because of IPR/other "strings" getting in the way.

I have not writing that their are any ... yet.  However, even without an 
agreement on sw patents, trademarks and copyright for MOOX, developers can 
pound away and churn out code.  That's not a problem.  The problem is at 
the end of the process, or really any other time, that without such an 
agreement the plug can be pulled on the project.


>> The productivity suite monopoly is currently maintained largely
>> through the format.  OOo supporting that format won't loosen the
>> grip.  If the support is less than perfect, then you also have the
>> lost work that could have been spent on something productive instead.
>
> It doesn't really matter if the support is less than perfect; ...

It does if the agreement covering sw patents, trademarks and copyright 
applies only to "full" implmentations.  Again, this brings up the 
importance of getting some kind of licens from MS regarding implementation 
and use of MOOX.

[snip]
> Re: the IPR thing - it's in every story, I'm not sure how you missed it!
> There is a joint agreement which covers Microsoft and Novell products,

Yes, but what kind of deal?  The articles seems to have the same level of 
detail as your concise, one line summary.  In the past, Sendo, Stac, 
SendIT and many others have entered into joint "agreements" with MS.  The 
details are important.

> and a separate deal for individual free software developers. The details
> aren't clear yet because they're not final though.

"not final" == hasn't happened yet.  So for right now, there is no 
agreement for developers, and that's what I'm trying to get at. 
If it's not in writing, it didn't happen and they could very well be 
working to produce a product that someone else owns and/or controls.

-Lars
Lars Noodén
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