De-jure and de-facto standards

Standardization is both the best and the worst thing. It may slow down innovation, but it allows interconnection.

Interoperability: Compatibility of hardware and software.

De-facto standards may be:

• The result of the widespread adoption of an open protocol, file format or interface. In this case, innovation gives a competition advantage.
• The consequence of a monopoly. Intellectual property may then be used to exlude competition.