07.04.08
ISO: The New USPTO (and It’s Not a Compliment)
Time for a reform
Microsoft may be the last straw that broke ISO’s back. Given the dismissive attitude and denials from ISO, this essential establishment will never be the same.
ISO now acts in a similar fashion or serves a similar goal to USPTO — and those who endorse its role — as a body approving monopolies. Those monopolies are defended using the piece(s) of paper called “a standard” rather than “a patent”. A standard is more expensive to buy though. Ask Microsoft just how much it cost it to game the system. █
The disparity of rules for PAS, Fast-Track and ISO committee generated standards is fast making ISO a laughing stock in IT circles. The days of open standards development are fast disappearing. Instead we are getting “standardization by corporation”, something I have been fighting against for the 20 years I have served on ISO committees.”
–Martin Bryan
Formerly Convenor, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC34 [OOXML] WG1
ISO missed the chance to save its integrity when Mr. Bryden spoke out
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.