Microsoft’s OOXML format ratified
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ISO grants standard status to software giant’s XML-based office document format
Technology standards body ISO has granted official standard status to software giant Microsoft’s Open Office XML document format (OOXML) after over two-thirds of its member organisations gave their approval.
The format has been criticised by opponents, including IBM and Sun Microsystems who have instead backed the rival OpenDocument format, for having too many specifications that are unique to Microsoft applications. This, opponents argue, means that Microsoft will be able to continue to exploit its near-monopoly of desktop productivity software by controlling the document format.
Speaking to Information Age today, Richard Boulderstone, director of e-strategy and information systems at the British Library refuted that accusation.
“Microsoft argues that the additional functionality that they have built up around their Office products necessitates a separate document format,” he said, “and I buy that argument.”
The fact that it is an open standard is the important point, says Boulderstone. For the British Library, it means that – unlike many existing document formats – they will be able to open and read documents based on OOXML for many years to come, even when applications that support it no longer exist, because the documentation that explains how the files work will be openly available.
Elsewhere, Microsoft’s energetic lobbying of the ISO member organisations has also been criticised. The EU commission is currently investigating the company’s OOXML campaign as part of a wider anti-trust investigation.
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