Volume IX

Issue : 7: December 2, 2010

• Ontario Judge Endorses Substituted Service Through Facebook
• Facebook Closer to Trademarking "Face"
• WiLAN Sues Major Tech Companies in the U.S. Alleging Patent Infringement
• SAP to Pay Oracle $1.3 Billion for Infringement
• U.S. Shuts Down Web Sites in Piracy Crackdown
• Motorola Files ITC Complaint Re: Xbox
• Chinese Woman Detained for Retweeting
• Ontario Invites Online Consultation

Home > Volume IX > Issue 7: December 2, 2010 > SAP to Pay Oracle $1.3 Billion for Infringement

SAP to Pay Oracle $1.3 Billion for Infringement

On November 23, 2010, the jury in the case of Oracle v. SAP AG, in the Northern District of California, ordered SAP to pay Oracle $1.3 Billion as compensation for the fair market value of a license to use software and confidential information stolen by SAP from Oracle.  The high profile case represents the largest award for copyright infringement damages, ever. 

Prior to trial, SAP executives had admitted that they were aware SAP employees at its TomorrowNow subsidiary had accessed confidential databases on Oracle’s servers and downloaded software and customer manuals so as to poach Oracle’s clients.  The issue at trial focused on whether damages should be based on lost profits (close to $40 million) or fair market value of the licenses (alleged by Oracle to be $1.6 billion). 

For the jury award in Oracle v. SAP AG, C 07-1658 PJH, visit:
http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/

For additional information, visit: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/business/24oracle.html?_r=2&ref=technology