Supreme Court blow for Oracle
Software giant forced to pay back $12.8m to third-party support nemesis Rimini Street
Oracle has lost a Supreme Court battle with long-term tormentor Rimini Street, forcing it to pay back $12.8m (£9.7m) to the third-party support provider.
The pair have been locked in multiple lawsuits since 2010, based on accusations that Rimini Street engaged in illegal conduct and copyright infringement during the years that followed its 2005 launch.
Rimini Street was found guilty of certain offences, racking up a bill of $124m, but over recent months courts have cut this figure down.
The latest instalment in the saga has seen the US Supreme Court order Oracle to pay back $12.8m in litigation fees that Rimini Street had initially been ordered to cover.
Rimini Street CEO Seth Ravin said: "The US Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision of national significance in copyright law, reversing earlier decisions by lower courts and ruling that Oracle must return $12.8m in non-taxable expenses (plus interest) that Rimini Street paid to Oracle in 2016.
"We are pleased with this latest victory in the highest court, and look forward to continuing our fierce competition with Oracle in the marketplace by providing the best enterprise software support service and value for Oracle licensees worldwide."
Rimini Street has consistently stated that any copyright infringements were "innocent" - a claim it says has been backed by the courts.
The third-party support firm is also trying to claim back further cash from Oracle.
Last January the courts slashed $50m off the $124m Rimini Street was originally ordered to pay.
In a statement Oracle said: "The Supreme Court's narrow decision today on recovery of a type of cost does not change the fundamental facts of the case.
"Rimini engaged in a massive theft of Oracle's IP and tried to cover it up by destroying evidence and engaging in other litigation misconduct, but it got tagged for its illegal activities anyway by both judge and jury, as the opinion acknowledges.
"And despite its effort to avoid an injunction, Rimini has been enjoined from further infringement."