Sun puts patent weight behind OpenDocument

OpenDocument is designed to guarantee interoperability between software suites

Sun Microsystems has promised not to enforce any of its patents covering the OpenDocument format. 

The Oasis Open Document Format for Office Applications is a standard backed by Adobe, IBM and Sun.

It aims to create open standards for documents that guarantee interoperability between software suites, allowing StarOffice to open and edit a document created in WordPerfect, for instance.

The State of Massachusetts said earlier this month that it is considering the format, which would mean that Massachusetts will only invest in applications which support the standard. 

Sun's patent support for OpenDocument is different from a move the company made earlier this year, in which it pledged 1,670 patents in support of any software governed by the open source Common Development and Distribution Licence.

Simon Phipps, Sun's chief open source officer, said: "Previous attempts at patent protection using the 'patent commons' approach glorify patents, forcing anyone who would benefit from the apparent protection to become a patent expert. A blanket statement like this just says: 'no need to look, you're safe.'"