[odf-discuss] Re: Directive 98/34/EC

[Lars D. Noodén]

On Sun, 18 Feb 2007, marbux wrote:
> So it's all in one place, the EC directive section you quoted has its
> international counterparts. In the Agreement on Technical Barriers to
> Trade, we find ...

Directive 98/34/EC
* proposals must be completely in compliance with existing standards

Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
* (2.4) must use standards or relevant parts thereof
e.g. listed in "Ecma 376 contradicts numerous international standards"
 	http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_objections#Ecma_376_contradicts_numerous_international_standards

* (2.5) obligation to harmonize with standards
i.e. that would mean OpenDocument as well as SVG, MathML, SMIL, etc.

* (2.9.3) must clearly identify parts not in accordance with standards
I wonder if 2.9.3 has been neglected.

It seems likely that MS will continue to try to claim that Ecma 372 
addresses a different than ISO/IEC 23600.  That is weak and can be 
pursued.  (Of course.  One is to tie in to a single product, the other is 
for document exchange.)

Regardless, it fails rather badly in three Technical Barrriers to 
Trade requirements and should not be considered further without those 
first being remedied.

> ...  I briefed these issues in section B(7) of my article
> at <http://opendocument.xml.org/node/238> should you need a page to link
> to.

It's probably worth a separate piece on its own.

-Lars
Lars Noodén
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