Oracle Says Intel, HP are Keeping Dead Itanium Chip Alive

Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) and HP (NYSE: HPQ) have been in a legal battle since June, when HP sued Oracle for ending software support for Intel's (NASDAQ: INTC) Itanium chip. Last week, according to this VentureBeat report, Oracle filed court documents contending that Hewlett-Packard and Intel have secretly been keeping the unpopular Itanium server chip alive, even though no one wants to buy it.

"'HP has secretly contracted with Intel to keep churning out Itaniums so that HP can maintain the appearance that a dead microprocessor is still alive,' according to a filing obtained by All Things D. 'The whole thing is a remake of Weekend at Bernie’s.'

"HP claims Oracle ended its Itanium support because Oracle acquired Sun Micrososystems and its server business, which use the x86-based chips. HP also has suggested that Oracle wants to convince current and potential Itanium server customers that they should only be interested in x86 servers.

"'Intel said in a statement, 'We are not a party in this litigation and will not comment on litigation where we are not a party. And, we never comment on confidential agreements between us and other companies.'"

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