Advocates against the use of image formats that are protected by patents. Presents a brief history of the GIF format as well as its open alternatives.

Why not using Word, Excel or any other proprietary format to communicate.

Richard Stallman's arguments against the use of proprietary formats in document exchange.

Governs the handling of patents in the process of producing Web standards. The goal of this policy is to assure that Recommendations produced under this policy can be implemented on a Royalty-Free (RF) basis.

Ken Krechmer analyzes the distinct issues behind advocacy for non-proprietary formats.

Benefits of the development of open specifications for audio and video formats. By Rich Mavrogeanes.

Essay by Erik Fair explaining how open standards may help mitigate or prevent "customer lock-in" strategies.

Intercommunication and file formats should follow standards that are sincerely open for all to implement, without royalty fees or discrimination.

A discussion of the problems of MSWord as a document exchange format and what alternatives are available. Suitable for a non-technical audience.

A not-for-profit organization connecting people to open standards and the bodies that build and foster their growth.