Oracle's Larry Ellison Blasts Incoming HP Chief

In a trial that starts Monday, Oracle (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison says he intends to prove that incoming Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) CEO Leo Apotheker stole ideas from Oracle in his previous position as head of European competitor SAP.

Ellison first accused Apotheker of overseeing industrial espionage several weeks ago. But in a statement late Tuesday, he added that Oracle plans to present evidence that his allegation is true during the trial to determine the amount of the SAP settlement. Oracle is seeking about $2 billion in damages, while SAP -- which already has admitted to wrongdoing -- has said it may owe tens of millions of dollars, Reuters reported.

Ellison also called for Apotheker to testify at the trial, a move that HP says is"no more than an effort to harass him and interfere with his duties and responsibilities as HP's CEO," according to Reuters. An HP spokeswoman told Reuters that Apotheker's role in the SAP situation was "limited."

The statement from Ellison is the latest illustration of intense antagonism between Oracle and HP. Oracle last month hired former HP CEO Mark Hurd as its co-president after he resigned from HP amid sexual-harassment allegations. Then HP sued Hurd, alleging that he risked violating confidentiality agreements by working for a competitor.