Oracle's HP-Bashing Could Backfire

(TheStreet) -- Could Larry Ellison's efforts to drag new HP HPQ CEO Leo Apotheker into Oracle's ORCL legal brawl with SAP SAP ultimately backfire on the database giant? Even by his own standards, Ellison has been particularly belligerent recently, launching blistering verbal attacks on former SAP CEO Apotheker, who started his new gig at HP earlier this week. Oracle is locked in a court battle with SAP, seeking substantial damages for software theft. Although the German software firm has admitted its wrongdoing, Ellison remains on the warpath, repeatedly accusing Apotheker of overseeing the theft during his time as SAP CEO. The fiery Oracle chief has also attacked HP, speculating that the computer maker will keep Apotheker away from its Palo Alto headquarters -- outside the court's jurisdiction -- to escape a subpoena. HP, in turn, has accused Oracle of harassment. Continue reading the article.