Hi 
+1
That is exactly the Redhat strategy.
If the different licenses could allow them to use all our code and allow us
to use all our code then that would be perfect. Sadly i don't think it's
possible any more. IBM were very clear that they didn't want any of their
massive code donation to end up in LibreOffice and the Apache license
ensures that. It's the one of the few advantages the OpenOffice
program(s)/code has over the LibreOffice program(s)/code.
Luckily the branding issue has largely faded away or even turned in our
favour. Their pale washed-out blue has been largely overtaken by our bold,
dynamic, forceful green&black. Our logo on it's own looks like a page with
the corner being turned over so it fits with what we are about. OO's
seagull doesn't say much about what they do except "freedom" and that is
less unique these days.
People have seen the LibreOffice brand go from strength to strength and
appear to grow incredibly in a very short time. From 20 people about 5
years ago to over 60 million within the first couple of years. It's clear
and simple. The OpenOffice route has been very difficult. They have done
very well to gain the standing they do have - but to outsiders it still
looks like they either shrank massively or barely grew at all.
Some parts of each community would have a very hard time integrating with
each other now. Both have good reason to be fiercely independent, having
travelled very different stormy paths in the last half-decade.
Also the appearance of fighting and competition between the 2 projects has
done both of us quite a big favour.
If it were possible to chart the growth of both projects added together, in
whatever terms you like (such as; number of devs, number of users, number
of press articles, activity, whatever). Then for the first 10 years, under
Sun, you'd probably see a very steady fairly impressive growth. From the
moment after the split/fork the growth would rocket upwards.
Sure many of our initial gains were OOs losses, but those losses could
easily have gone off to MS Office instead of 'staying' with us. OO may
regain some of those now that it looks a lot less chaotic than us. But a
lot of the gains of both organisations have been with organisations,
cities, even a national-police-force and other people who had never even
heard of either of us before.
Regards from
Tom 