Oracle has filed a lawsuit against SAP after its server log files indicate that SAP has been leeching Oracle's entire library of support documentation for the JD Edwards and Peoplesoft enterprise applications.

In doing so, the company violated Oracle's copyrights, the firm alleged. It furthermore used expired accounts for former Oracle clients that had since moved to SAP. So even if downloading the documents themselves wouldn't be illegal, doing so without paying for it would be, the company argues.

22 Mar 2007

Support documents for enterprise applications are far different from the 40-page booklet that comes with your copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements. These pages contain detailed information, often including source code.

Even if SAP technically violated Oracle's copyrights, you have to wonder what the damages are in this case. Support is all about sharing information with the outside world. Therefore it is bound to end up in the hands of you competitors.

The only extraordinary thing about this case is that SAP was downloading Oracle documentation in a structured manner. But in the war between the two software vendors, no weapon will remain unused.

SAP's Shai Agassi vs. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison: battle of the (oversized?) egos.