IBM may bolt groups that set tech standards

IBM sent signals this week that it may withdraw from organizations that set technical standards if they don't have policies for "quality and openness" in reviewing specifications for software and computer system interoperability. IBM's move is seen as a reaction to the adoption of Microsoft's Open XML document format as an international standard. The format used in Microsoft Office software suite was approved in April by the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, over complaints of irregularities in the approval process by at least four national standards bodies.

IBM has only one vote in any standards body, but it is influential. IBM said its goal is to "advance governance rules within standards bodies that ensure technology decisions, votes, and dispute resolutions are made fairly by independent participants, protected from undue influence."

IBM vowed to work for process reform in standards organizations so that proxies or surrogates cannot be used in standards creation and approval. At the same time, Big Blue left the door open to pulling out if reforms are not adopted.

For more on IBM's strategy:
- check out this InformationWeek.com article