This sounds like Novell is planning on mixing proprietary code with GPL’d code. Isn’t that a violation of the GPL?

Not necessarily, as I understand it anyhow.

OOO is LGPL and therefore there is alot they can do in terms of linking proprietary code and whatnot and be able to distribute it.

For their other stuff, like identity management or whatever, they just don’t distribute them ‘linked together’ with a GPL product. GPL is only distribution, not an EULA, users can load/run whatever they want.

I haven’t any problem with a mixed-source approach, honestly, as long as its done right. I have a huge problem with the patent covenant license exploit that Novell and Microsoft colluded on.