HP CEO Goes On the Lam As Oracle Hunts Him Down

theodp writes "Oracle said HP has refused to accept a subpoena requiring new CEO Leo Apotheker to testify in a trial against his former employer SAP, which will determine how much SAP owes Oracle for copyright infringement by its discontinued TomorrowNow unit. 'Mr. Apotheker started work for HP on Monday, but it now appears that the HP board of directors has decided to keep him away from HP's headquarters and outside the court's jurisdiction,' an Oracle spokeswoman said. 'We will continue to try to serve him,' she added. An HP spokeswoman countered: 'Given Leo's limited knowledge of and role in the matter, Oracle's last-minute effort to require him to appear live at trial is no more than an effort to harass him and interfere with his duties and responsibilities as HP's CEO.' The spokeswoman declined to discuss the whereabouts of Mr. Apotheker, who was featured in a 2006 SAP/TomorrowNow press release attacking the 'uncertainty' of Oracle. Coincidentally, among the charges leveled at SAP/TomorrowNow was 'pretextual customer log-in,' an area in which HP has some subject matter expertise."

CEO? Must be in Taihiti

[Enderandrew]

Why would a CEO be at work? That is just a silly assumption.

Re:Don't mess with Larry

[aliquis]

But pirates > ninjas.

Re:Is it me or

[Sponge Bath]

...has HP become less than reputable

Eventually, your reputation reflects your actions. I think HP has thoroughly buried its previous reputation as an innovator and great place to work.

Actually...

[uzd4ce]

He's been travelling to HP sites across the globe to get face to face employee input and hopefully boost morale. I'd much rather he do that and get a handle on the company than submit to Oracle's harassment in a suit where he's already given sworn, taped testimony. The last thing HP needs is another lame-ass distraction for the CEO.

Re:Wow.

[Anonymous Coward]

Quiet, pleb. They're trying to make money here. This has nothing to do with your petty concerns as a customer. Now go buy more ink cartridges and laptops like a good lower-class-than-they-are money conduit.

Re:Is it me or

[Anonymous Coward]

Software is treated like a commodity and now so are the people. In a war of Oracle vs. SAP vs. HP the only good outcome is that the management of all the companies gets drug through the mud and sent packing with their golden parachutes tucked into their cash stuffed brief cases. The nerds no longer rule the roost but the lawyers and business hacks are at the helm.

Re:Don't mess with Larry

[SydShamino]

You're not thinking modern times. Corporations pull in billions from their customers and lucrative government contracts. Then, when the armada closes in, the CEO strands their crew on a desert island and make their escape via golden parachute.

Re:How about...

[Red Flayer]

Yeah, but SAP is a largely German company. German employees demand they be treated well.

HP is global, but largely American. We Americans bend over and take it in the ass gleefully, compared to German workers. Especially since the fearmongers have us running scared due to the economy.