New HP CEO's First Distraction: The Oracle vs SAP Trial

As Leo Apotheker (pictured) attempts to settle in as Hewlett-Packard's new CEO on November 1, Apotheker may also need to face his first business distraction. Indeed, Oracle apparently intends to call Apotheker -- SAP's former CEO -- as a witness in an Oracle vs. SAP trial, according to The Wall Street Journal. Here's the update. According to The Journal:

The VAR Guy

October 11, 2010

2 Min Read

New HP CEO's First Distraction: The Oracle vs SAP Trial

leo apotheker 3

As Leo Apotheker (pictured) attempts to settle in as Hewlett-Packard’s new CEO on November 1, Apotheker may also need to face his first business distraction. Indeed, Oracle apparently intends to call Apotheker — SAP’s former CEO — as a witness in an Oracle vs. SAP trial, according to The Wall Street Journal. Here’s the update.

According to The Journal:

“Apotheker’s name appeared on a witness list exchanged around 11:45 p.m. Friday between the two legal teams representing Oracle and SAP, according to SAP spokesman Bill Wohl. Apotheker was named chief executive at H-P on Sept. 30 and is a former chief executive of SAP. Ray Lane, H-P’s incoming chairman, said in a letter to the New York Times that Oracle had been litigating the case for years without offering any evidence that Apotheker was involved.”

The Journal offers an overview of the Oracle vs. SAP case here.

Meanwhile, it’s clear that Oracle plans to rattle Apotheker’s cage before he can attempt to get comfortable at HP. The HP vs. Oracle feud has been swirling ever since Oracle hired former HP CEO Mark Hurd in September 2010. HP sued Hurd to block him from joining Oracle, but HP dropped the suit after Hurd returned some of his severance to HP.

Still, HP stirred some new flames when it recently hired Apotheker — a former SAP CEO who has long battled Oracle — as HP’s new HP.

Will Apotheker really be required to testify in the Oracle vs. SAP suit? The answer to that question may not matter, according to The VAR Guy. Ultimately, Oracle is out to beat HP in the market. The VAR Guy will be watching to see if Oracle manages to rattle Apotheker during his first few weeks on the job.

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