Oracle: We'll Continue Software Development For HP Itanium Servers

Hewlett-Packard's Itanium servers

"Oracle will continue building the latest versions of its database and other software covered by the judge's ruling to HP Itanium computers," Oracle said in a statement issued late Tuesday. "Oracle software on HP's Itanium computers will be released on approximately the same schedule as Oracle software on IBM's Power systems."

That includes version 12c of the Oracle database, which Oracle said is due out in early 2013.

[Related: Analysis: In The HP-Oracle Server Fight, There Are No Winners ]

Oracle said in March 2011 that it would no longer develop its software for Itanium, an Intel processor HP uses in some of its server lines. Oracle argued that Itanium is nearing end of life -- a fact Oracle said HP is trying to hide to preserve its Itanium-related business as long as possible.

HP filed a breach-of-contract suit arguing that Oracle had committed to continue supporting Itanium as part of a Sept. 20, 2010, settlement of an earlier lawsuit related to Oracle's hiring of former HP CEO Mark Hurd.

After 12 days of testimony in June, Judge James Kleinberg of the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County, handed down a preliminary decision on Aug. 1, agreeing with HP that Oracle must continue developing its software for HP's Itanium servers for as long as HP manufactures and sells them.

Last week Kleinberg handed down his final ruling in the case, reiterating his findings in the preliminary decision.

Oracle has vowed to appeal the judge's decision.

HP did not immediately return a request for comment on the Oracle statement.

PUBLISHED SEPT. 5, 2012