Oracle vs SAP gets trial date

A judge has set a trial date for Oracle's corporate theft lawsuit against SAP: Feb. 9, 2009.

The trial date was disclosed by SAP. SAP indicated that the company and Oracle met with Judge Martin Jenkins of the Northern District Court in San Francisco to go over case management.

Jenkins discussed scheduling, the process around discovery for evidence and alternative dispute resolution. For a quick recap: In March, Oracle sued SAP alleging corporate theft on a grand scale accusing SAP's TomorrowNow unit of stealing intellectual property. SAP responded in July and admitted some of the allegations but shot down most of them. In August, SAP argued for alternative resolution and urged the judge to speed the case up. In between those dates there have been some sharp exchanges. Overall, it is unclear how the spat will be resolved and how perception will play a role.

Here are the key dates:

• Feb. 12, 2008: Another case management hearing.
• Nov. 13, 2008: The last date the judge will hear motions regarding the case.
• Feb. 9, 2009: The trial date.

Leading up to the trial, the most interesting thing will be the discovery process where it's likely there will be some dirt on the structure of ERP deals. The court asked both parties to agree on a special master to assist on discovery.