ODF supports EC calls for more open formats

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The Open Document Format Alliance has welcomed calls from Europe to stop IT vendors from “locking” users into document format standards.

The ODF Alliance was responding to a speech by Nellie Kroes before OpenForum Europe group, in which the commissioner for competition stressed the benefits of using open, and well-documented standards.

“As purchasers, we need to be smart when we buy technology. We need to be aware of the long term costs of lock-in: you are often locked-in to subsequent generations of that technology.

The EC must not rely on one vendor, it must not accept closed standards, and it must refuse to become locked into a particular technology – jeopardising maintenance of full control over the information in its possession,” said Kroes.

Responding to this in a statement Mario Marcich, managing director at the ODF Alliance, said, “The end is near for the era of public information being locked-in a closed format. The OpenDocument Format, with its status as the only internationally recognised open standard document format with a wide range of supporting applications, is a critical tool for governments to help end the era of lock-in.

“Commissioner Kroes’ remarks validate the ODF Alliance mission and indicate the growing support for ODF and open standards that ensure interoperability and technological choice.”

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