Is OpenDocument an Open Standard?

It is generally accepted that the OpenDocument Format (ODF) is an open standard. But some people are claiming otherwise. For example, a Microsoft FAQ on the subject states:

Sun submitted the OpenOffice formats to a small committee in the OASIS organization. The record shows that there were almost no material changes to the OpenOffice specification from the time it was submitted to the time it was approved by the working group at OASIS.

After looking into the matter, one thing is clear. It was no rubber stamp. There were more than a hundred changes, and you will read about some of the substantive ones in this article. If you wish to read the OASIS FAQ, here you go. Here's how they answer the Microsoft FUD:

The OpenOffice.org XML specification went through a one-year review phase within OASIS. This review resulted in more than 100 changes to the schema, and additional specification and editorial work. After its approval by the Committee members, OpenDocument also went through a one-month public review phase, and a final approval process by the full OASIS membership, which represents over 600 organizations.

The original members of the committee are quite a diverse group. The 21 current members of the Technical Committee are listed here. David Wheeler is on the list. He dug into the subject and this article is the result.