Microsoft Wins Document Format Standards Battle

Microsoft takes important step in crushing its rival's format
By Jason Mick - April 2, 2008

Microsoft has long profited from proprietary formats, occasionally at its competitors' expense. However, with open standards coming into vogue, Microsoft adopted an "if you can't beat them, join them" approach, creating its own open document format. However, its new format was not warmly received. Microsoft hoped its Office Open XML (OOXML) format would become the office file format of choice for the industry. The OpenDoc Society, a long term opponent of Microsoft, did not believe in Microsoft's sudden change of heart. It sought to outcompete OOXML, with its existing format, Open Document Format (ODF). The ODF format is already ratified as a standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), solidifying its place in the academic and business communities as a viable option. When Microsoft sought ISO ratification, the OpenDoc Society lobbied against it. It argued that having multiple open document standards defeats the purpose of having standards and that the standard would allow Microsoft to tighten its grip on computer systems.In the end the OpenDoc Society's campaign was an exercise in futility as Microsoft's OOXML has finally been ISO certified. The decision was leaked Tuesday ahead of the official ISO announcement, which came today. Microsoft lauded the move, saying that it created a "level playing field" for OOXML to competed with ODF and other formats.

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