Is "Open" the New "Organic"?

Perhaps the biggest regulatory story of the week was covered by The New York Times in "Reversing Loss, Microsoft Wins Open-Format Designation." Apparently the software giant known for its proprietary code has actually passed a contentious international test of legitimacy to claim to be an "open" and therefore government-friendly and sustainable format. Despite winning the designation, the following countries expressed opposition: Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, New Zealand, South Africa and Venezuela. Like the designation "organic," political influence can certainly play a role.