Legislators Wimp Out on Open Document Format Bills

"I am overdue in offering a few thoughts on the news that open format legislation has gone down in flames in legislatures throughout the US...

"Eric Lai and Gregg Keizer compiled the grim data in a story they posted at ComputerWorld last week titled Microsoft trounces pro-ODF forces in state battles over open document formats. The story varied slightly from state to state, with an amendment to a bill in Florida being whisked away at the behest of three 'Men in Black' almost as soon as it was offered, while in Texas, testimony was given (unsuccessfully) by IBM's Bob Sutor, among others, before that bill died. Bills also failed in Connecticut and Oregon, while in California State Assemblyman Mark Leno's bill stalled (the ComputerWorld story reports that Leno will try again in January). Only in Minnesota did a bill pass that mentioned open document formats. But by the time the bill was signed, it had been watered down to the point of only requiring the State's IT department to 'study' the open format issue..."

Complete Story

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