 | This articleis inlist format but may read better asprose. You can help byconverting this article, if appropriate.Editing help is available.(October 2024) |
Anopen file format is afile format for storingdigital data,[1][2] defined by an openly publishedspecification usually maintained by astandards organization, and which can be used and implemented by anyone. An open file format is licensed with anopen license.[3][4][failed verification][contradictory]For example, an open format can be implemented by bothproprietary andfree andopen-source software, using the typicalsoftware licenses used by each. In contrast to open file formats,closed file formats are considered trade secrets.
Depending on the definition, the specification of an open format may require a fee to access or, very rarely, contain other restrictions.[5] The range of meanings is similar to that of the termopen standard.
In 2012 the UK Government created the policy Open Standards Principles, stating that the Open Standards Principles apply to every aspect of government IT and that Government technology must remain open to everyone.[6] They have seven principles for selecting open standards for use in government, following these principals many open formats were adopted, notablyOpen Document Format (ODF). The seven principles for selecting open standards for use in the UK government are:
Within the framework ofOpen Government Initiative, thefederal government of the United States adopted theOpen Government Directive, according to which: "An open format is one that is platform independent, machine readable, and made available to the public without restrictions that would impede the re-use of that information".[7]
TheState of Minnesota defines the criteria for open, XML-based file formats as follows:[8]
TheCommonwealth of Massachusetts "defines open formats as specifications for data file formats that are based on an underlying open standard, developed by an open community, affirmed and maintained by a standards body and are fully documented and publicly available."[9]
The Enterprise Technical Reference Model (ETRM) classifies four formats as "Open Formats":
Sun Microsystems defined the criteria for open formats as follows:[1]
According toThe Linux Information Project, the termopen format should refer to "any format that is published for anyone to read and study but which may or may not be encumbered by patents, copyrights or other restrictions on use"[5] – as opposed to afree format which isnot encumbered by any copyrights, patents, trademarks or other restrictions.
Open formats (in the royalty-free and free access sense) include:[5]
The following formats are open (royalty-free with a one-time fee on the standard):
Text was copied from this source, which is available under anOpen Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
