Geneva - Microsoft has suffered a setback in its quest to make its Open XML format an internationally recognised standard for electronic documents.
South African officials say they have sent a letter of protest to two Geneva-based standards bodies that conducted a worldwide ballot on Microsoft's application to approve the file format.
The letter claims that the process was poorly conducted and rushed. It was sent to the International Standards Organisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission on May 22.
A spokesperson for the International Electrotechnical Commission said Wednesday the appeal would be examined and an attempt to resolve the complaint will be made within a month. Microsoft could not immediately be reached.