"We’ve recently change the policy for
distributing our file formats, at the request of BillG. We used to
be fairly lax about giving it out to pretty much everyone who asked
for it (Excel even published a book through MS Press).
"Our new policy (for Office2000) is that there are restrictions
on use (can’t build converters, can’t be a competitor
to any of the apps, etc). We required a signed license agreement in
hand before we’ll send them the docs. They have to tell us
who they are and what their company does, as well as their intended
use."