Microsoft is facing growing criticism of its bid to have Office Open XML (OOXML) accepted as an international standard ahead of a crucial vote by the ISO scheduled for February.

Redmond initially promised that the ISO would have control of OOXML if and when it became a standard. Critics reckon Microsoft is now backsliding on this promise via plans to retain indirect control of the standard through Ecma International, the group that originally rubber stamped OOXML.

The proposals have raised concerns that the ISO would be unable to make OOXML compatible with existing standards, leaving the ISO relegated to the role of publishing a list of errata (corrections), with Ecma left in charge.

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Microsoft, OOXML, Open Office, File Format, ISO