This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8319624.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU warns Oracle over Sun takeover EU warns Oracle over Sun takeover
(about 2 hours later)
Oracle has so far failed to produce evidence to ease concerns that its purchase of Sun Microsystems would be anti-competitive, the EU has said.Oracle has so far failed to produce evidence to ease concerns that its purchase of Sun Microsystems would be anti-competitive, the EU has said.
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said she was "disappointed" by the lack of proposals to placate EU worries.Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said she was "disappointed" by the lack of proposals to placate EU worries.
Business software firm Oracle has proposed a $7.4bn (£4.5bn) takeover of hardware and software maker Sun.Business software firm Oracle has proposed a $7.4bn (£4.5bn) takeover of hardware and software maker Sun.
The EU is concerned the deal could breach competition rules, leading to higher prices and less choice.The EU is concerned the deal could breach competition rules, leading to higher prices and less choice.
Doubts persist within the European Commission about Oracle having control of Sun's MySQL database business.Doubts persist within the European Commission about Oracle having control of Sun's MySQL database business.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Ms Kroes said the commissioner had "expressed disappointment that Oracle had failed to produce, despite repeated requests, either hard evidence that there were no competition problems or, alternatively, proposals for a remedy to the competition problems identified by the Commission".On Wednesday, a spokesman for Ms Kroes said the commissioner had "expressed disappointment that Oracle had failed to produce, despite repeated requests, either hard evidence that there were no competition problems or, alternatively, proposals for a remedy to the competition problems identified by the Commission".
Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Center, said the comments were "bad news for Oracle".Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Center, said the comments were "bad news for Oracle".
The US Department of Justice has already given its approval to the deal, agreed in April.The US Department of Justice has already given its approval to the deal, agreed in April.
'No conflict of interest''No conflict of interest'
Earlier this week, Sun said it would cut 3,000 jobs over the next year while it awaited the verdict of the EU investigation into Oracle's takeover, which is due on 19 January.Earlier this week, Sun said it would cut 3,000 jobs over the next year while it awaited the verdict of the EU investigation into Oracle's takeover, which is due on 19 January.
They are the latest in a series of cuts to be made by the firm, which has suffered prolonged financial woes. Oracle said last month that Sun was losing $100m (£61m) every month.They are the latest in a series of cuts to be made by the firm, which has suffered prolonged financial woes. Oracle said last month that Sun was losing $100m (£61m) every month.
Oracle maintains that there would be no conflict of interest and has promised to sell off MySQL to get the deal approved. Oracle maintains that there would be no conflict of interest and has promised not to sell off MySQL to get the deal approved.
It is looking to strengthen its position against IBM, which abandoned its own attempts to buy Sun earlier this year.It is looking to strengthen its position against IBM, which abandoned its own attempts to buy Sun earlier this year.