• The Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, September 5, 2007 10:31 AM

Microsoft has failed to win approval for its Office software file format to be considered an international standard. Gaining such acceptance by the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization was aimed, in part, at allaying concerns that Microsoft's control of the file formats--the rubrics used to turn bits of data into business letters, spreadsheets and presentations--keeps rivals from developing competing office software.

Critics says the Office file format--called Open XML--is so laden with Microsoft-specific features that only Microsoft would be able to use it fully. Giving it the ISO's approval would cement Microsoft's dominance, they argue. Microsoft has a chance to persuade opposed countries to change their minds, however--a phase that should end in early 2008.

Microsoft's commanding position is a hot topic in Europe. Regulators and the company are eagerly awaiting an important court ruling, due Sept. 17, in Europe's long-running antitrust case featuring the Windows operating system.

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