Comments on: OOXML Wins ISO Nod http://truthhappens.redhat.com/2008/08/18/ooxml-wins-iso-nod/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:54:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Andrew Farris http://truthhappens.redhat.com/2008/08/18/ooxml-wins-iso-nod/#comment-1249 Andrew Farris Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:20:34 +0000 http://truthhappens.redhatmagazine.com/2008/08/18/ooxml-wins-iso-nod/#comment-1249 The recognition of the format does not completely relinquish their rights to its use, or immediately make them more accessible to open source. Unfortunately, I think that should be implied, but as I understand its not at all. I completely agree on the naming similarity, and potential trademark infringement though... There is no way Microsoft would allow anyone to get away with creating a file format named 'XML Word'. It is absurd that Office Open XML is a valid name, considering its similarity to both Open Office as a program name and to OpenOffice.org XML as a file format. The recognition of the format does not completely relinquish their rights to its use, or immediately make them more accessible to open source. Unfortunately, I think that should be implied, but as I understand its not at all.

I completely agree on the naming similarity, and potential trademark infringement though… There is no way Microsoft would allow anyone to get away with creating a file format named ‘XML Word’. It is absurd that Office Open XML is a valid name, considering its similarity to both Open Office as a program name and to OpenOffice.org XML as a file format.

]]> By: R. Grannemann http://truthhappens.redhat.com/2008/08/18/ooxml-wins-iso-nod/#comment-1248 R. Grannemann Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:42:06 +0000 http://truthhappens.redhatmagazine.com/2008/08/18/ooxml-wins-iso-nod/#comment-1248 First, there should be a lawsuit to make Microsoft change the name "Office Open XML" to something else. I have to stop and think every time I read the words to make sure we're not talking about "Open Office." Besides, "Office Open" is a very convoluted use of the English language (i.e. putting the "adjective" after the noun). It's a really dumb name. Can Microsoft really avoid trademark infringement simply by changing word order? Sue them for a half billion. That said, Microsoft Word 2007 finally got it right by fixing the menu organization. And Word's editing notation capabilities are unparalleled. Like it or not, Windows and Office are going to be around a long time. If open Office Open formats will make Microsoft's programs more accessible to open source programmers, then ISO recognition can be a good thing. First, there should be a lawsuit to make Microsoft change the name “Office Open XML” to something else. I have to stop and think every time I read the words to make sure we’re not talking about “Open Office.” Besides, “Office Open” is a very convoluted use of the English language (i.e. putting the “adjective” after the noun). It’s a really dumb name. Can Microsoft really avoid trademark infringement simply by changing word order? Sue them for a half billion.

That said, Microsoft Word 2007 finally got it right by fixing the menu organization. And Word’s editing notation capabilities are unparalleled. Like it or not, Windows and Office are going to be around a long time. If open Office Open formats will make Microsoft’s programs more accessible to open source programmers, then ISO recognition can be a good thing.

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