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With Microsoft's OOXML formats at last under review by Joint Technical Committee 1 (JTC1) of global standards bodies ISO and IEC, things are heating up dramatically in the battle between ODF and OOXML. When the deadline for the one month contradictions period of the ISO/IUEC Fast Track closed on Monday afternoon, JTC 1 had received responses from a total of nineteen national bodies, with most or all of those responses including formal "contradictions" under applicable rules.
That represents an unprecedented number of early objections, given that many ISO/IEC standards are finally adopted with fewer national bodies voting at all. In contrast, INCITS, the standards organization reviewing OOXML on behalf of the United States, went along with Microsoft's conservative view of what constitutes a contradiction (e.g., a conflict so severe that two programs could not operate on the same system), and offered no objections.
All in all, not a very auspicious start for OOXML. And not one that augers well for a very fast Fast Track experience. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft deals with this slap in the face.
I'm pleased that my country (Canada) is one of the 19 (!) countries to submit contradictions with Joint Technical
Committee 1 (JTC), the ISO/IEC body that is managing the Fast Track process.
I'm glad the various countries submitted contradictions. I also hope it really does derail the fast-track process. I suspect, though, that this battle is far from over, and will likely get fairly "bloody" before it's all said and done. I believe the pundits that it's not good news for Microsoft, but I know them to be serious fighters. Time to pop the popcorn, this could be a good'un. ;-)
The list, as posted, isn't correct. The Netherlands voted 'abstain' after a last minute call from Microsoft (I'm ashamed of my country). They're on that list too, but the US isn't although they voted an abstain as well.
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