December 4, 2007. Wayland, MA. The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC®) seeks public comment on a draft OpenGIS® Encoding Standard (OGC KML) for KML 2.2, a XML-based encoding schema for expressing geographic annotation and visualization on existing or future web-based online maps (2d) and Earth browsers (3d).

The draft OGC KML 2.2 standard formalizes the KML 2.2 model and language while remaining backwards compatible with existing KML 2.2 files. In comparison with the Google KML 2.2 Reference, the draft standard defines:

  • the KML 2.2 geometry encoding and interpolation model;
  • an extension model in support of application profiles;
  • conformance requirements and test cases.

The submission of KML into the OGC consensus process by the RFC Submission team led by Google and Galdos Systems Inc. ensures that KML will be aligned with international best practices and standards, thereby enabling greater uptake and interoperability of Earth browser implementations.

The draft OpenGIS KML v2.2 Encoding Standard is available at http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/requests/45. Suggested changes and comments on this draft are welcome and encouraged. Submit comments via email using the instructions and template provided at the website above. Extensive comments may be included directly in the PDF file using the free Acrobat Reader product, provided that they are referenced from the email itself.

The public comment period will remain open until January 4, 2008.

The OGC® is an international consortium of more than 340 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geospatial standards. OpenGIS® Standards support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. OGC Standards empower technology developers to make geospatial information and services accessible and useful with any application. Visit the OGC website at http://www.opengeospatial.org.