[Info-vax] Trial Phase 2 (was Re: HP wins Oracle Itanium case)

[JF Mezei]

David Froble wrote:

> This suggestion of "how much this folly will cost them" really has no merit.

It is quite important. Because the contract is open ended, HP is able to
force Oracle to continue to develop for IA64 for as long as HP feels it
necessary.

In other words, because of the open ended nature of the contract, there
is a risk that Oracle will be forced to continue to develop even of it
looses money due to the shrunken state of the IA64 environment.

This is a risk/liability that needs to be quantified and reported to
shareholders.

If Oracle can get the court to fine tune the wording to provide some
metrics that end the contract, it can then quantify the potential
liability and reduce the potential losses in the long term.

Oracle amy still be making money from the IA64 eco system, but with
sales drobbing very very fast, it isn't clear how much longer Oracle
will continue to see IA64 as being profitable.