The Gnome foundation actively participated in the ECMA fast-tracking of Open XML as a sock puppet for Novell. Now the Foundation clarified its position that came under recent criticism.
The GNOME Foundation is a member of the ODF Alliance, and along with our contributors in the GNOME community, we are passionate supporters of open standards in general. We believe that ODF delivers the best opportunity for industry and government to collaborate on an open document standard, to drive unprecedented innovation, productivity and public transparency.
The GNOME Foundation's support for Jody's participation in TC45-M does not indicate endorsement for, or contribution to, ISO standardisation of the Microsoft Office Open XML formats.
While Microsoft should be applauded for releasing information about the Office document formats, their manoeuvres around the standards process demonstrate that they are not pursuing standardisation as a platform for innovation for the entire industry. Indeed, Microsoft continues to behave in the abusive manner of an unreformed, convicted monopolist with no passion for true industry collaboration in the interests of users.
Let me single out this one:
GNOME Foundation's support for Jody's participation in TC45-M does not indicate endorsement for, or contribution to, ISO standardisation of the Microsoft Office Open XML formats.
In order to decode it you need to understand that ECMA is not ISO. The statement remains contradictory which reminds me of the applied Nuremberg principle: In Germany preparation of a war of aggression is a criminal act. But declaring a war of aggression is not. They forgot to add it to the penalty code. Nulla poena sine lege.
According to the Gnome foundation Jody is passive:
Jody's last interaction with TC45-M was in July, to deal with the latest set of issues he submitted regarding charting and pivot tables. While he is not participating in the current activities of TC45-M (which is focused on issue resolution for the ISO standardization process), our membership continues so he can participate in the next review period.
An open question remains the independence of the Gnome Foundation representative from Novell and options for contributions and voting during the current secret preparation of ECMA-resolution proposals. In my humble opinion a Gnome Foundation's ECMA abstention is exactly what helps the vendor to channel an unacceptable comment resolution proposal through ECMA and ensure irrelevance of ECMA.
See also
http://fanaticattack.com/2007/a-letter-to-the-gnome-foundation.html