Originally posted by Marc Sabatella DNG is first and foremost a file format, not a piece of software, so the term "open source" isn't really applicable. Although there is a development kit, and that probably isn't open source.
The format itself, as you say, is fully and publicly documented - which already puts it one step ahead of any other RAW format in that respect. The definition of the format is currently under control of Adobe, so in that respect it's no different from any manufacturer-controlled format. But Adobe has submitted the format for ISO standardization, a process which can take some time to complete. Assuming that goes through - and I have no idea what the current status of this is - DNG will be as "open" as any file format can be. In addition to being fully and publicly documented (as it already is), no one company will control it, no one company will be allowed to alter it for their own purposes and still say it is follows the standard, there will be assurance the definition format won't change in incompatible ways without the agreement of all concerned parties, etc. ISO standardization is pretty much the Gold standard for file formats.
I think the real advantage of the DNG format is that while Adobe remains in control of the specification, they have released it as a royalty free format.
Anyone can develop devices that use the DNG format without paying Adobe for the pleasure of doing so.
All they have to do is make sure their implementation meets Adobe's specification to ensure universality.
By keeping control of the specification, they have assured users that individual manufacturers can't develop an internal standard that turns the DNG into a proprietary format.
If you want to use DNG, it has to match the Adobe spec.
Imagine how complicated the film world would have been if camera manufacturers had decided on an individual basis to modify 35mm film cassette form factors to match their individual whims because they thought they had a better idea.
Can anyone remember the Agfa Rapid magazines?
This is what camera manufacturers have done with raw file formats, the DNG format is an attempt to create a universally compliant format.
I'm not seeing this as a bad thing, especially in light of the very real possibility of camera manufacturers making their proprietary formats so exclusive that they would have to be decoded by their own proprietary software, which could then be charged for.
I believe Nikon charges good money for Nikon Capture, as an example.