I am sure most of you already know about
this, but thought I would post it anyway.

Shiral
_____________

Jan 19, 2001

Yamaha and Roland Agree to Cooperate to
Improve MIDI Data Compatibility
--------------------------------
....
..

Three-point agreement:

Yamaha and Roland have agreed on the
following three points.

1) Both companies will actively support the
GM2 Format established in 1998
(see Note 2).

2) Both companies will offer open access to
Yamaha's XG Format (see Note 3) and
Roland's GS Format(See Note 4).

3) Both companies will develop hardware and
software products to support all three
formats, i.e. GM2, XG and GS.

......

full story at
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/news/01011902.html