Open Office free download.?

Hi...ok my laptop didn't come with Microsoft Word, only Works. I can
write, send and do most things with Works, but i think I'm correct
when saying that who ever i send my documents to, also must have Works
too, to read and print them.

If i download Open Office, do my recipients need to have this program
installed too, or can they still open and print using there copy of
Microsoft Word ? Failing that, do i need to purchase a copy of Word !!

Many thanks.