Microsoft wins battle for OOXML approval
Published: 02 Apr 2008 08:32 BST
The International Organization for Standardization has officially approved Microsoft's OOXML specification as a standard.
The news confirms documents leaked on Tuesday were genuine. Three-quarters of the "Principal Countries" involved in the vote gave their approval (at least two-thirds were needed) and just 14 percent of participating members of ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) disapproved (under a quarter was needed).
According to ISO's Wednesday statement: "Subject to there being no formal appeals from ISO/IEC national bodies in the next two months, the International Standard will accordingly proceed to publication."
Although there have been allegations of voting irregularities within some of the national standards bodies that in turn participated in the ISO vote, no national body has yet made a formal appeal to ISO.
One prominent example had been an objection from Steve Pepper, the chairman of Standard Norge's joint technical committee, which he faxed directly to the ISO. In the letter, he claimed that 80 percent of the committee had been against the OOXML standard being passed — Norway officially recorded a vote of approval.
However, a spokesperson for Standard Norge told ZDNet.co.uk on Wednesday that the organisation had not made a formal appeal to ISO, and did not intend to do so. "One of the committee members sent a fax to ISO about this matter, but he did that directly and not through us," the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for ISO confirmed on Wednesday that it had not yet received any formal objections to the OOXML voting process, and refused to comment on the reports of voting irregularities within national bodies.
Websites claim to host leaked OOXML results
Ahead of Wednesday's official announcement, documents posted online appear to suggest Microsoft's document format is set to become an official standard, despite claims of voting irregularities [01 Apr 2008]
Australia abstains on final OOXML vote
The country's peak standards development body has revealed it carried on its motion to abstain from voting on the status of Microsoft's document format [31 Mar 2008]
Details emerge of 'shocking' OOXML meeting
At last month's OOXML ballot resolution meeting, 81 percent of the technical issues around the format were apparently resolved without being properly addressed [28 Mar 2008]
Denmark changes OOXML vote to 'yes'
The country's change of heart takes Microsoft's document format one step closer to becoming an ISO standard [28 Mar 2008]
Microsoft: We won't sue over future OOXML versions
The software giant has made assurances that a pledge not to sue developers using OOXML will apply to future version of the document format [28 Mar 2008]
UK may make last-minute U-turn on OOXML
The UK may be poised to vote in favour of Microsoft's Office Open XML becoming an ISO standard, after previously voting against [27 Mar 2008]
ODF supporters hold 'Document Freedom Day'
OpenDocument Format supporters across the world have tried to raise awareness about the implications of formats no longer being supported by proprietary software [27 Mar 2008]
Final deadline looms in OOXML vote
The Microsoft-backed document format is still short of the two-thirds majority vote required by the Saturday deadline to make it an ISO standard [26 Mar 2008]
Standards expert defends OOXML fast-track bid
The former secretary general of Ecma has dismissed claims that the move to fast-track the ISO approval process for Microsoft's OOXML is flawed and unfair [25 Mar 2008]
Microsoft's OOXML limps through ISO meeting
The proposed document specification has less than one month left to achieve the 66 percent backing required to make it a full ISO standard [04 Mar 2008]
Proprietary past looms over Microsoft OOXML hopes
More than 30 member countries of the ISO have attended a ballot resolution meeting in Geneva to prepare for a final ruling on Microsoft's OOXML document format [28 Feb 2008]
Google: OOXML 'insufficient and unnecessary'
The search giant claims Microsoft designed Office Open XML 'purely around the needs of Office' and says it should be rolled into the rival ODF format [26 Feb 2008]
Microsoft OOXML faces crunch time at ISO
Delegates from 37 countries are meeting at the International Organization for Standardization to reconsider the standardisation of OOXML [26 Feb 2008]
Microsoft: Don't be so quick to attack OOXML
The Office Open XML format is 'one of the best things we've ever done', according to the software giant [07 Feb 2008]
Cruel truth surfaces in the OOXML war
In the heat of conflict, propaganda gives way to proof. Microsoft may be feeling that heat over its so-called document standard [30 Jan 2008]
Microsoft: IBM masterminded OOXML failure
The software giant has accused IBM of leading attempts to block the ISO ratification of OOXML 'to harm Microsoft's profit stream' [30 Jan 2008]
Microsoft makes last-gasp OOXML push
With a critical ISO vote on the ratification of Office Open XML looming, the company maintains it has the industry's best interests at heart [29 Jan 2008]
OpenOffice.org dismisses pro-OOXML report
The value of a Burton Group report suggesting Microsoft's OOXML document format is preferable to ODF has been questioned by OpenOffice.org [17 Jan 2008]
Microsoft OOXML finds favour in Malaysia
Microsoft is making headway persuading several strategic organisations in Malaysia to adopt Office Open XML over the OpenDocument Format [16 Jan 2008]
Microsoft launches OOXML drive in Philippines
The company and industry body CompTIA will try to disseminate information on OOXML after the country's 'no' vote in the ISO certification process [15 Nov 2007]
ISO rejects Microsoft OOXML
The software maker's Office Open XML document format failed to receive enough votes to gain ISO certification [05 Sep 2007]
Microsoft OOXML debacle continues
Sweden has revoked its original 'yes' vote for fast-tracking OOXML for ISO certification, after a participant was found to have voted more than once [31 Aug 2007]
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