OOXML: Microsoft's 'Open' Trap? LibreOffice's Accusation and the Truth

LibreOffice accuses Microsoft's OOXML file format of being deliberately complex to lock in users and create a de facto monopoly. The article cites numerous technical flaws in OOXML and the chaotic standardization process. However, the author argues this wasn't deliberate sabotage by Microsoft, but rather a prioritization of self-interest, a defensive strategy against antitrust pressure and competition from ODF. OOXML's complexity stems from its direct mapping of Office's internal data structures, not a concise description of document content, making it more of a program state dump than an ideal standard. While Microsoft's actions objectively resulted in anti-competitive effects, the motivation differs from deliberate sabotage.