The Australian Government has released a policy that mandates the ECMA-376 version of Microsoft's Office Open XML standard and productivity suites that can 'read and write' the .docx format. If you're not familiar with the OOXML fiasco, take a look at http://noooxml.org/ for the sordid details.

The ISO has modified its procedures after the controversial adoption of Microsoft's OOXML document format as an open standard in expedited proceedings

In 2009, Norway decided that ODF was to be used, rather than OOXML, but called for further study and input from the IT industry, and I gather Microsoft put its shoulder to the wheel, and guess what? Now there is a new report (in Norwegian) that compared the two and concludes that neither is suitable, and both should be kept "under observation".

ODF Alliance Newsletter for February 2010. Contains latest news regarding open formats, including adoption by various governments around the world.

With the ending of the i4i case OOXML should be removed from ISO and cease to be used

OOXML scandals in France revisited; Microsoft blasted in Denmark over OOXML lies, reveals the Danish press

ODF news from the past week, mostly positive this time around (no signs of sabotage from the Microsoft ecosystem)

OOXML BRM convenor getting down to business. Take a look...