On 10/18/2011 01:29 AM, Ian Lynch wrote:
On 18 October 2011 03:55, Andreas S�ger<[email protected]> wrote:
Am 18.10.2011 01:35, Carl Marcum wrote:
Since we already need to do some re-branding for adding Apache, I think
we should drop the .org which I believe was only there because
OpenOffice was already trademarked.
And still is: http://www.openoffice.nl/
But then Apache OpenOffice(TM) would get round that. One possibility would
be to Trademark Apache OpenOffice alongside OpenOffice.org and publicly
declare they are referring to the same thing. Gradually replace as many
instances of OOo with AOO as is practically possible while the first code
release is in preparation. Design logos ready (they don't have to be
released immediately but designing them and deciding which to use takes time
and we don't want to be rushed into that at the last minute). On the first
code release announce the official consolidation to Apache Open Office.
Putting things off is not going to help in making a smooth transition and
will detract from the impact of that initial release when it happens. It is
a marketing event that has to be planned because it is a one off
opportunity.
John said that everyone now knows that OpenOffice.org is an Apache product.
I very much doubt that is true. Most end-users I have talked to have no idea
what LibreOffice is, the Document Foundation or Apache. We have to think in
terms of consumers with AOO/OOo. Most are not geeks, most don't even know
there was a product called Star Office or that Sun was bought by Oracle.
This is why marketing is a very different game to developing code.
I accept that it might take a while to sort out the best timing to make any
trademark changes but we do need to make a decision in principle so everyone
can refer consistently to one agreed set of terminology even if it is only
for internal use to start with.
OH boy. Well the discussion is getting complicated.
Consider this--
We ahd agreed to keep the "user facing" web site for Apache OpenOffice.org
as www.openoffice.org
its current DNS name
-- and, as Dennis pointed out, despite the common use of OpenOffice in
speech, openoffice.org is THE recognizable entity and reference in all
printed communication. In previous discussion, it's been repeatedly
pointed out, that in terms of what's already been developed for "the
brand" -- see the Marketing Project materials at
http://marketing.openoffice.org/
a change is HUGE headache.
Couple that with recent information about the Apache podling --
OpenOffice.org -- and I truly feel that a re-branding/trademarking *at
this stage of development* would not be good, and could potentially be
harmful in terms of identification.
Shane has suggested the PPMC should deal with this -- fine. And Rob has
suggested the new marketing head (team) should deal with it -- maybe
also fine. Maybe a nice compromise would let the "marketing area"
suggest something to the PPMC.
--
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MzK
"There is no such thing as coincidence."
-- Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Rule #39
