Governs the handling of patents in the process of producing Web standards. The goal of this policy is to assure that Recommendations produced under this policy can be implemented on a Royalty-Free (RF) basis. - Read more

Draws a distinction between open source advocacies and the promotion of public standards, warning against the confusion of these two initiatives. - Read more

Richard Stallman's arguments against the use of proprietary formats in document exchange. - Read more

Campaign for replacing the (formerly) patent-encumbered GIF format by open standard graphics. Since the GIF formats has become patent-free, the site advocates against software patents. - Read more

Investigates the effects of patent proliferation and criticizes reasonable and non-discriminatory license terms (RAND) for patented technologies. - Read more

The goal of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) is to develop and promote a set of standards that will increase compatibility among Linux distributions and enable software applications to run on any compliant Linux system. - Read more

Explains the risks of exchanging data in non-public format and suggests the main alternatives. - Read more

Short document with instructions to MS-Word users on alternatives they can use for document exchange. - Read more

Supports free ways to create, to distribute and display digital content by actively developing cross-platform solutions, such as Gnash. - Read more

Illustrates the principles behind format standardization and the practice of promoting formats interoperability. - Read more

Internet technologies and the economical challenge of open protocols. (May 1, 2001) - Read more

Aims to educate the public about the importance of Free Document Formats and Open Standards in general. Coordinates activities that happen on last Wednesday of March, celebrated as the Document Freedom Day. - Read more

Explains the appropriate use of document formats and argues against the use of Word attachments. - Read more

Initiative aiming to convince software companies to release data format documentation and to pass laws that governments can only store user data in open format. Presents its manifesto, forum, news, links to institutional resolutions. - Read more

An association of CAD customers and vendors committed to promoting open, industry-standard formats for the exchange of CAD data. History, members, FAQs, and published papers. - Read more

What is a standard, what is an open standard, and why use open standards on the Internet. - Read more

A discussion of the problems of MSWord as a document exchange format and what alternatives are available. Suitable for a non-technical audience. - Read more

Ken Krechmer analyzes the distinct issues behind advocacy for non-proprietary formats. - Read more

Intercommunication and file formats should follow standards that are sincerely open for all to implement, without royalty fees or discrimination. - Read more

Why not using Word, Excel or any other proprietary format to communicate. - Read more