SAN FRANCISCO, USA, 31 Aug. (Reuters/EP) -
Oracle accused Hewlett-Packard (HP) of fraud for concealing data during negotiations between the two companies over the appointment of an executive chairman, according to a court filing.
Oracle hired former HP CEO Mark Hurd last year after he left HP amid rumors about his relationship with a contractor.
HP filed a trade secret infringement lawsuit against Hurd after he joined Oracle, which was soon resolved. In Tuesday's lawsuit, Oracle says HP fraudulently induced the company to enter into the settlement for Hurd.
HP concealed that it had hired Leo Apotheker as chief executive and Ray Lane as chairman, According to Oracle's lawsuit. Apotheker and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison have had a rocky relationship since apotheker was at the helm of European software maker SAP AG.
On the other hand, Ellison and Ray Lane have struggled since Lane was fired from Oracle in 2000, according to the lawsuit.
"Given the well-documented animosity between Oracle and Messrs. Apotheker and Lane, HP knew that Oracle would not sign the settlement for Hurd if it had known of HP's immediate plans," the lawsuit says.
No HP representative was available for comment.
Other complaints filed by Oracle against HP include defamation and international interference in contractual relationships. Oracle is seeking termination of the Hurd settlement, damages, and other measures.
Oracle's lawsuit against HP on Tuesday is the latest link in ongoing litigation over the Itanium platform that has contributed to the deterioration of relations between the two companies.
Oracle decided in March to discontinue Itanium, a high-performance microprocessor, arguing that Intel had made it clear that the chip was near the end of its cycle and the company's interest was focused on its x86 microprocessor.
HP has called Oracle's decision "anti-consumer conduct," and subsequently sued Oracle in June in a California court.
FG_AUTHORS: PortalTIC.es / Companies
