Those who closely followed the first OOXML standardization vote (in which OOXML was not standardized, but was given a chance to make changes and be voted on again) will remember that shortly before the vote, many Microsoft partners joined the group of voting members in the standardization process and voted in favor of OOXML. At the time, I felt that that tactic seemed scummy, as many Microsoft tactics do, but I did not think legal action would be taken against them for it. Now it has, or at least it might.

The EU, continuing to keep a close watch on Microsoft, is beginning an investigation into Microsoft’s actions in the first OOXML vote to decide if anything illegal was done, according to the Standards Blog. Although it is not clear if this investigation will have any impact on Microsoft or the OOXML vote (the author of the Standards Blog says he believes that this investigation will not have enough time to effect the upcoming vote,) the more attention is brought to bear on Microsoft’s questionable practices the better. The more these issues are put in front of people, the more likely it is that Microsoft’s opposition will become unified to fight back against these unfair practices.

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