Oracle Bid to Acquire MySQL

i_frame writes "CNet is reporting on a recent Oracle bid for open-source database MySQL. They were unsuccessful." From the article: "'It all comes back to the question of cannibalizing an existing business,' O'Grady said. 'If you determine that to some extent it's inevitable, wouldn't you prefer that you do it, instead of your competitors?' O'Grady said Oracle could benefit from MySQL in the way that IBM has from its acquisition of Gluecode, a company that commercializes the open-source Geronimo Java application server software and competed with IBM's own proprietary WebSphere product."

Comments

Gluecode

[foniksonik]

A friend of a friend's uncle's brother once told me that Gluecode was originally a venture called Exist, funded by the 'Pirate of Prague' a notorious IP bandit who caught the founders, unaware of his infamy, and ended up pillaging the company of all it's value until they finally had to give up and reorganize as Gluecode.... ironically turning about and performing the same stunt themselves via IBM in order to recoup their losses... poor employees and smaller funding partners, they never had a chance. /// end anecdote

waaaan

[VAXGeek]

Bill Gates: Your Internet ad was brought to my attention, but I can't figure out what, if anything, Compuglobalhypermeganet does, so rather than risk competing with you, I've decided simply to buy you out.

Homer: I reluctantly accept your proposal!

Bill Gates: Well everyone always does. Buy 'em out, boys!

[Gates' lackeys trash the room.]

Homer: Hey, what the hell's going on!

Bill Gates: Oh, I didn't get rich by writing a lot of checks! [insane laughter]