HP sues Oracle for Intel’s action

Hewlett-Packard launched a lawsuit against Oracle over Oracle’s decision to terminate developing software for Intel's Itanium processor, the chip used by HP in its high-end servers.

In its filing HP alleges that Oracle's March 22 decision to discontinue all future software development for Itanium violates "legally binding commitments" that Oracle made to HP and the companies' 140,000 joint customers.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday with the Superior Court in Santa Clara, California, in a bid to force Oracle to reverse its decision. HP believes Oracle is "legally obligated" to keep developing its software for Itanium, HP said.

Meantime, Oracle disclaimed HP’s allegation calling them untrue and accusing HP of forcing it into signing an agreement last September to continue its support for Itanium, even though HP knew of an Intel plan to discontinue Itanium.