EU "examining Microsoft OOXML push"

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 8 Feb 2008 at 16:08

The EU has begun an investigation into Microsoft's efforts to have its new Office file formats ratified as a standard, according to an unconfirmed report in the Wall Street Journal.

The US newspaper claims that the European Commission has asked Microsoft to provide information about its part in the ratification process. Specifically the Commission is said to want to know whether Microsoft has put pressure on the national committees that will vote on whether the Office Open XML (OOXML) formats should be adopted as an ISO standard.

Opponents of OOXML have alleged on many occasions that Microsoft has attempted to influence the voting process using nefarious means, allegations that Microsoft has unequivocally denied.

The Commission wants to know whether Microsoft has attempted to influence the voting process in violation of antitrust laws.

The software giant has not commented on the Commission's latest enquiry, saying only that it will co-operate fully.

The ISO voted last year not to approve OOXML and called on Microsoft to make a number of changes to the specification. More than 3,500 comments have been submitted and the ISO will vote on the amended specification later this month.