But the problem of not being able to open MS formatted files with non-MS software would be a moot point if there were simmilar standards laws enacted within the U.S. MS would then be forced to publish their file formats and other "MS standards" so that the rest of the software world would have an easier time writting software that can work with those formats. This would also, as a side note, kill MS's strategy of "adopt" standard X, slightly modify said standard, release all MS software with the modified standard and effectivly kill the real standard, repeat as nessecary.

just my 2 cents.