Microsoft wants to replace the ubiquitous JPEG file format with its own newly specified Windows Media Photo.

Although WMPhoto's current specification is still in the preliminary stage we cannot underestimate the ability of Microsoft to corner this market.

Microsoft could promote the format in Vista desktop applications by giving it great prominence in the software development suite Visual Studio .NET.

WMPhoto taking hold on the web is a different kettle of fish altogether given the traditional antipathy towards using Microsoft software online.

How WMPhoto will be licenced will surely prove critical to its success.