On its Web site, INCITS lists three letters officially objecting to Open XML, including one from IBM that raises six formal contradictions to Open XML, including an assertion that the format is technically deficient and is confusing to non-Microsoft employees.

Updegrove said that INCITS decided to adopt a more narrow and conservative definition of an ISO contradiction, a move likely to have some activists, such as Australian techie Rick Jelliffe, applaud.

Comments from the countries will be made public by ISO after Feb. 28, as will Ecma's response. Updegrove said that Ecma could wind up pushing "the national bodies more aggressively than ever to vote for adoption," or might withdraw the existing proposal and resubmit a less controversial one.

At that time, the ISO information technology committee will decide whether to put Open XML on a so-called "fast track" for a general vote within five months. If that happens, Open XML's fate could be decided as early as August.