SAP Expects Its Co-CEO To Testify In Oracle Case

According to an SAP representative, SAP co-Chief Executive Officer Bill McDermott is expected to testify the case, as SAP kicks off its defense in the high stakes copyright infringement case brought by Oracle. Last week, attorneys for Oracle indicated they would conclude their case on Monday, meaning McDermott would be one of SAP’s first defense witnesses.

SAP and Oracle, which dominate the global market for software that helps businesses run more efficiently, are battling in court to determine the amount of damages for software theft by SAP. SAP has accepted liability for its TomorrowNow subsidiary having wrongfully downloaded thousands of Oracle files, but argues it owes tens of millions not billions of dollars in compensation.

McDermott was appointed SAP’s co-CEO earlier this year. At the time of SAP’s acquisition of TomorrowNow in 2005, McDermott was CEO of SAP America, according to court filings. SAP expects him to testify about the company’s interactions with its TomorrowNow subsidiary, court filings indicate. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison took the stand last week.