Through the Open Specifications program, Microsoft is helping developers open new opportunities by making technical documents related to interoperability for certain popular Microsoft products available to view and download from MSDN at no charge. This documentation includes protocols, computer languages, standards support, and data portability.
Although the technical documents are freely available, many of them include patented inventions. Some of these patents are available at no charge under the patent promises. The remaining patents are available through various programs. For more information, please see the Programs and Patents links.
You can learn about the Microsoft commitment to interoperability by watching our Open Specifications Plugfest videos, such as the Interoperability Protocols Keynote. Find the videos and other support for Open Specifications implementations by using the Documentation, News, Plugfests and Events, Test Tools, Support, and Case Studies links.
Programs
Programs, patent pledges,
and interoperability principles
Patents
Patent map, patent promises, and
the Open Web Foundation Agreement
Documentation
Technical documents for
protocols, languages, standards
support, and data portability
News
Recent newsletters and highlights
from the interoperability
and Open Specifications blogs
Plugfests and Events
Upcoming and past events,
Open XML and ODF, Document
Interoperability Initiative
Test Tools
Message Analyzer, test suites,
validators, interoperability labs,
and more
Support
Forums, blogs, Microsoft Support,
knowledge base, partner
programs, and more
Case Studies
Companies have used the Open
Specifications for innovative,
interoperable solutions
