Web page of the company that Oracle sues
Oracle, the tech giant specializing in Linux, the cloud and database, sues a startup specialized in blockchain. The accusation is based on the use of the word oracle (oracle) in the name.
For the company, CryptoOracle LLC and its owner Louis Kerner, chose the name on purpose, to take advantage of Oracle's reputation as an "innovator and leader within the technology industry."
CryptoOracle LLC, was founded in 2017 as a venture capital company. ORprovides advice to companies and entrepreneurs related to blockchain technologies. In addition, it sells tickets for meetings and other educational events that it organizes on the subject. Its founder, claims on Linkedin to be a former executive of Goldman Sachs.
The point is that, in addition to the databases and their corporate Linux distribution, they also offers blockcahin technology, as well as organizes educational events and conferences.
Oracle, who discovered the existence of its near-namesake from a television segment, attempted to resolve the issue with a cease-and-desist notice. The founder replied iinitiating the trademark registration process.
The company, asked a federal judge to compel CryptoOracle arremove the trademark application, remove your related trademark from all websites and change your name. In the curious language of American lawyers:
Although Oracle appreciates the defendant's efforts to spread the word about blockchain technology, including organizing events for enthusiasts, interested and curious, it cannot tolerate the use of its well-known brand.
But it goes beyond. Also asked keep the profits that CryptoOracle would have obtained. Considering the difference in size, this is more of a punitive measure than anything else.
2019 seems to be a year of controversy for Oracle. A few months ago, his decision to fire 900 people from his Chinese division sparked strong protests in the Asian country. To this must be added the 350 it fired from its research and development division in the United States.
It's also not well liked by the open source community. His attitude towards open source projects inherited from the purchase of Sun, led to the birth of forks such as LIbreOffice and MariaDB