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Open file format
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{{short description|Published specification for storing digital data}} {{redirect|Open format|the competition format used in sport tournaments|Open (sport)}} {{distinguish|Open data}} {{Prose|date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} An '''open file format''' is a [[file format]] for storing [[Data (computing)|digital data]],<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Format Definition |url=https://techterms.com/definition/open_format |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=techterms.com}}</ref> defined by an openly published [[specification]] usually maintained by a [[standards organization]], and which can be used and implemented by anyone. An open file format is licensed with an [[open license]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Format Definition - Open Definition - Defining Open in Open Data, Open Content and Open Knowledge |url=https://opendefinition.org/ofd/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=opendefinition.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=open format - open data handbook |url=https://opendatahandbook.org/glossary/en/terms/open-format/}}</ref>{{Failed verification |reason=A possible mandatory connection between open file format and open licenses is not explicitly stated in any of the open format definitions in these references. |date=April 2024}} {{Contradictory inline|section=The Linux Information Project|date=March 2024}} For example, an open format can be implemented by both [[proprietary software|proprietary]] and [[free software|free]] and [[open-source software]], using the typical [[software license]]s used by each. In contrast to open file formats, [[Proprietary file format|closed file formats]] are considered trade secrets. Depending on the definition, the specification of an open format may require a fee to access or, very rarely, contain other restrictions.<ref name="Free File Format Definition">{{cite web |title=Free File Format Definition |url=http://www.linfo.org/free_file_format.html |access-date=11 February 2007 |publisher=LINFO.org}}</ref> The range of meanings is similar to that of the term [[open standard]].
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