--Bill Gates [PDF]
[PDF] [via Bob Sutor]
Microsoft has a patent promise, the Open Specification Promise (OSP) and a Covenant Not to Sue, relating to OOXML. If you want to implement OOXML with confidence that you are not infringing on any intellectual property rights (IPR), these coverages are not adequate. They have gaps.
So, if anyone shows you interoperability, ask yourself whether both sides of the interaction actually fully understand the data that is being exchanged. If not, this is not really full interoperability. It is just an illusion.
Research In Motion sues Motorola over patents
In addition, RIM alleges that Motorola "is demanding exorbitant royalties...for patents that Motorola claims are essential to various standards for mobile wireless telecommunications and wireless computing that RIM practices."
“OOXML is patents. Yes, patents are in OOXML. Don't let anybody fool you.”Read that statement again if you haven't and think about OOXML while you read it. RIM, mind you, is not a struggling company. It does not beg for money to protect its short- or long-term survival (think about SCO). Rather, it fights to maintain dominance and it uses patents covering "standards" to achieve this goal of 'taxing' its competitor out of relevance (Motorola is the stagnating business here, still wrestling with plenty of ongoing reorgs and staff reductions).
It was quite recently that Microsoft admitted it needs to control (and protect using patents) the 'standard' in order for its business to remain relevant. There are many antitrust documents that back this long-enduring attitude. It's time to break the ice -- for good. OOXML is patents. Yes, patents are in OOXML. Don't let anybody fool you. ⬆
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Comments
Stephane Rodriguez
2008-02-19 19:32:31
(see http://www.microsoft.com/interop/osp/default.mspx)
Interestingly enough, Microsoft gives away the VBA specs if you send an email at officeff@microsoft.com
As seen here, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/840817
"Microsoft Office Binary File Formats
Microsoft makes its .doc, .xls, .xlsb, and .ppt binary file format specifications available under a royalty-free covenant not to sue to anyone who wishes to implement all or part of these specifications in their products. Implementation includes the ability to use the specification documentation for analysis and forensic reference purposes. Microsoft Office Drawing File Format for 2007 and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) File Format for 2007 are also available under this program."
So one might expect why is VBA absent...
Roy Schestowitz
2008-02-19 23:20:24
"The macro language subset of Visual Basic has been the bread and butter architecture for those tasked with building advanced formatting in Microsoft’s signature Excel and Word suites."
http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2008/01/14/office_mac_08_vba/
They still need some walls, some gaps, uncertainty. Licensing issues aside...