Microsoft makes Office 2003 format public

Sunday, Jan. 30 2005 | Author: dennis

Via Scoble, Microsoft has decided to make the Office 2003 format an ‘open standard’, and the XML Reference can now be downloaded from Microsoft.

There are a few very interesting bits in the XML Reference FAQ, especially about licensing issues and patents. Basically, Microsoft is trying to get a patent on the Office 2003 format, which they will probably get, but they will still allow anyone to use it, royalty-free. Doesn’t sound like Microsoft, I know, but that’s what the FAQ says.

This news will definitely help other Office packages, like OpenOffice.org to fully support the Office 2003 format. Hopefully we’ll see other interesting (open-source) programs using the Office format as well.

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3 Responses for "Microsoft makes Office 2003 format public"

norgus

January 30th, 2005 at 12:00 pm
1

Oh christ, I really hope this brings some intercompatibility between open office and MS office (and I mean true compatibility).

I also will be hoping my college makes the upgrade so that I can use open office at home without having to worry about formatting trouble when I take my work back with me.

Is it too good to be true in any way?
Dennis Pallett

January 30th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
2

Not as far as I can see. According to their FAQ, they won’t change the terms of the license, despite any patenting issues or anything else.
Frank

November 29th, 2005 at 4:56 pm
3

could someone please tell me how to print a word doc.in mirror image?