UK Research councils opt for Open Access

Fantastic News from the UK research councils.

The openness of file formats

Looks like good news from microsoft (hat tip slashdot and the register), but as many people are pointing out - what does this really mean?:

• A format open for reading (making it legal for third parties to build readers)?
  
• A format open for writing (making it legal for third parties to build readers)?
  
• A format which others (e.g. a standards body) to take and modify according to public need?
  
• A formet which is not IPR encumbered in any way?
  

It's not truely open until all of the above are true - maybe they should consider adopting the open document format.