Syringe.Net.Nz - OOXML Political Involvement in UK

Friday, March 28, 2008

OOXML Political Involvement in UK
The Register is reporting on the political involvement of John Pugh in the UK
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/03/28/ooxml_iso_osp/

"Liberal Democrat MP John Pugh has tabled a parliamentary question expressing his disappointment at the BSI's apparent change of heart:

"I am deeply concerned that some national bodies have considered approving DIS29500 'in their national interest'. It is not in the interest of the UK or any other country for DIS 29500 to be published as an international standard in its present form as there are a significant number of unresolved issues, including incompatible licensing conditions, single vendor interest and control as well as those other factors uncovered since the original comment period closed."

He concludes by urging the BSI not to change its stance on OOXML."

Of course that's kind of the thing one would expect from Mr Pugh, he's hardly into letting people choose for themselves. Let's hope BSI remains indepent and it's also worth noting that NZL has been without political interference to date (at least that I've been aware of).

PoliTechLaw|Friday, March 28, 2008 6:31:03 PM UTC|Comments [2]|

Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:29:27 AM UTC

Those comments are broadly correct.
No problem with OOXML as a vendor's standard through ECMA.

Deeply concerned about the level of "gaming the system" that has been undertaken by Microsoft to pursue ISO standard certification to dig themselves out of the legal hole that the EU put them in.

Stu

Saturday, March 29, 2008 3:27:40 AM UTC

There's been plenty of gaming both sides.
To be honest, from what I've seen of overseas the process here in NZ has been pretty good- I just hope that the transparent and apropriate process has carried through to the Standards Council level.

I'm personally quite chuffed to be on the opposite to the obviously quite intollerant Mr Pugh.

Are you keeping your eye on the votes as they come out Stu. http://vote-iso.com is a great site for tracking them.

Chris Auld

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