Open source lawyer declares Microsoft offer valid
There’s a lot of fine legal distinctions being made still over Microsoft’s decision to submit its Office XML format to the open-standards body. Hairs are being split and angels made to stand on pinheads as the world comes to terms with the Big One’s move.
Now a top open-source lawyer has pronounced Microsoft’s bid valid. Larry Rosen has issued a statement that endorses the new terms under which Microsoft is making its Office XML Reference Schema open to developers of all types, including open-source developers.
David Berlind at ZDNet has an indepth look at the whole issue. He writes :
Rosen is one of two lawyers whose endorsement is critical to the open source world’s acceptance of what can best be described as Microsoft’s most significant olive branch to date; one that apparently means that the open source community is free to develop software that supports the Redmond, WA-based company’s XML-based file formats for its Office productivity suite.
He warns of the possible consequences, however : “If the Microsoft news wins Google over to the company’s file formats, it could be game over for ODF.”
