HP sues Oracle over software development


16 Jun 2011

IT giant HP is suing Oracle because Oracle has decided to stop developing software for the chip HP uses in its high-end servers.

On March 22, Oracle decided to stop developing software for Intel’s Itanium processor. HP believes this is a breach of contract that violates commitments Oracle made to HP and their joint customers, HP said in a statement.

“Further, we believe that this is an unlawful attempt to force customers from HP Itanium platforms to Oracle’s own platforms,” HP said.

Now, HP is trying to get Oracle to reverse its decision. HP filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in California.

Oracle denies HP’s claims, calling them “utterly malicious and meritless.” Oracle also claimed HP, despite knowing of an Intel plan to discontinue Itanium, tricked Oracle into signing an agreement in September to continue supporting Itanium

Intel has not publicly announced any plans to stop developing Itanium.