ODF Reciprocal License Allegation

Hi all,

Pamela Jones of Groklaw.net just contacted me about the license
of the OpenDocument format.  

She pointed out a blog from Microsoft's Brian Jones:

http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2005/09/22/472826.aspx

<MS Brian Jones quote>

While we're on this topic, I think it's important that you all take a

look at the comparable situation with Open Document. A lot of folks just

seem to assume that since it's a standard, there are no IP issues and

everything is very straightforward. Well, take a look at this:

http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/office/ipr.php
Sun seems to be

saying that it may have IP in the Open Document spec. While Sun says it

is willing to provide a royalty-free license, one would still need to

ask Sun for a license. The license is not posted. It would be

interesting to see, and I'll probably try to see if I can find it. The

statement on the site alone reveals that at a minimum, they have at

least one condition – you have to give Sun a reciprocal license.

</quote>

<OOo Discuss quote>

We need a response to this MS allegation that there are IP issues with
ODF.  And whether ODF is

GPL-compatible. It is hard to imagine it not being GPL compatible, since

it's being used by KOffice, which is GPL.  I hope Gary can give us an
answer.

</quote>

Any thoughts on this?  Before the day is out i will try to speak with
Peter Quinn, the CIO of Massachusetts about this.  No doubt Microsoft
hopes this issue falls right on his head.  But i think the OpenDoc TC
has to be prepared to respond.

~ge~