First off, why would anyone want to view the documentation of Microsoft Office’s binary file format? Billions of documents currently in use all over the world is using the binary, closed formats (these have file extensions like .doc, .xls and .ppt). Making this available would allow users the freedom to either extract information from their documents, spreadsheets and presentations without using Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Software developers would also now be able to build programs or applications using select parts or the entire documentation provided that would make available valuable data.

Since 2006, Microsoft has made the documentation available to anyone who requested for it via e-mail and was made available (and still is) royalty-free. IBM and Sun Microsystems are just among the hundreds of companies who already have copies of the Binary Formats documentation. These requests would be sent to officeff@microsoft.com. The binary file format specifications is cumulative and covers the most current form of the binary file formats as well as earlier versions.

On February 15, 2008, in response to requests for easier access to the file formats, Microsoft has decided to skip the e-mail request step and just make the documentation available for direct download on the Microsoft web site.

This is all made possible under the Open Specification Promise (OSP), which is an assurance to developers and customers that they can implement Microsoft product specifications freely and easily without violating Microsoft patents, so long as it is conforms to a covered specification. An example of the covered specification implementation includes the ability to use the specification documentation for analysis and forensic reference purposes. Currently available covered specifications available are in web services, virtualization specifications, security, Office XML file formats, robotics and synchronization.

Microsoft believes that though the OSP, a broad audience will be able implement specifications in both commercial and open source projects through this simplified method of sharing of technical assets, while recognizing the legitimacy of intellectual property.

Red Hat Inc., one of the largest free and open source (FOSS) companies in the world and a major distributor of the Linux operating system, even voiced their support for Microsoft’s OSP. Mark Webbink, Deputy General Counsel says that as a company, they believe that "the text of the OSP gives sufficient flexibility to implement the listed specifications in software licensed under free and open source licenses. We commend Microsoft’s efforts to reach out to representatives from the open source community and solicit their feedback on this text, and Microsoft’s willingness to make modifications in response to our comments."

This is in line with Microsoft’s commitment to providing interoperable software that will allow seamless information sharing among people using different kinds of technology. The upcoming availability of the binary file format documentation is one way to open doors that were once closed and invites the community, partners and competitors alike, to participate in effective co-opetition (cooperative competition).

For more information on the OSP, visit http://www.microsoft.com/interop/osp.