Follow me on TwitterLarry Ellison is always a master of spin. Right now he is applying his considerable skill to hasten the completion of the acquisition of SUN. SUN, according to Larry, is bleeding US$100 million a month. If European Commission continues for probe his intentions around MySQL he stands to loose whatever is left of SUN. So, Larry Ellison does what Larry Ellison does best i.e. make outrageous statements in the press. His latest is “Oracle does not compete with MySQL”. I think Larry Ellison and European Union really need to see what MySQL website says:
MySQL Enterprise Unlimited directly competes with Oracle
I think that European Union has a valid concern. It is too bad that that DOJ in the US chose to focus on Java and completely ignore the implications on MySQL. I said it before, my bet is that MySQL inside of Oracle is a dead duck. MySQL’s future is outside of Oracle and in the world of open source with its true masters.
I admit that being a DB2 guy I am biased against Oracle, but there is genuine fear and uncertainty in the MySQL community in regards to the future of MySQL.
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So what you’re saying is that the EC should base their decision on what a company posts on their website? MySQL has a fraction of the the database market share. That’s like saying someone on the boxing featherweight class competes with a boxer in the heavyweight class. Lary’s right…and you are grasping at straws just like the EC is. Their “real” agenda is to hurt Oracle, which helps SAP.
What I am saying is that Larry will say whatever is needed to close the deal. Every day the deal is not closed SUN hemorrhages millions of $s and if this drags on much longer there will not be much left for Larry to inherit for his money. Saying that MySQL does not compete with oracle is complete bull. It may not compete in some segments and both go after the same $ in many accounts. That is called competition. MySQL may not win as much as Oracle but it does not mean they don’t compete. Providing what oracle provides for less money has been their strategy from day one and that is spelled out in plain English on their website.
As for my opinion on whether EU should or should not approve the deal I expressed it in one of my earlier posts on the topic http://freedb2.com/2009/05/15/mysql-escapes-oracles-grasp/. I think EU should approve because it does not matter. MySQL has already left Oracle’s grasp and I don’t think it makes any difference how the deal is concluded.