SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – The relationship between long-time technology partners Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Oracle Corp (ORCL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has been strained by a very public spat over the hiring of Mark Hurd, and it could get worse.

Analysts say the bad blood and mistrust between Oracle and HP — sparked by Oracle’s hiring of the former HP CEO and HP’s attempt to block it — comes at a particularly sensitive time and may not fade, as the companies begin to compete more directly in the IT hardware market.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Apple Inc is easing restrictions for building iPhone and iPad applications, a move that should allow for the use of third-party tools such as Adobe Systems’ Flash software, a move that could ease the tension between the two companies.

Shares of Adobe surged over 12 percent at mid-afternoon on Nasdaq on Thursday, after Apple announced the changes.

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Oracle Corp
(ORCL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has offered its new co-president, former
Hewlett-Packard (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) chief Mark Hurd, a hiring package with
a bonus of up to $10 million and options potentially worth tens
of millions more.

Oracle, the world’s No. 3 software maker, named Hurd
co-president on Monday, a month after he stepped down from HP
because of a scandal involving expense reports and a female
contractor. [ID:nN06144965].

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Hewlett-Packard Co sued former Chief Executive Mark Hurd and asked a court to block him from joining Oracle Corp, saying his hiring by the rival technology firm puts HP’s trade secrets “in peril.”

Oracle, the world’s third-largest software maker, named Hurd co-president and director on Monday, a month after he resigned from HP over expense account irregularities related to a female contractor.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 7 (Reuters) – Oracle Corp (ORCL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
investors cheered the surprise hiring of former Hewlett-Packard
Co (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Chief Executive Mark Hurd on Tuesday, sending the
business software company’s stock up sharply after the latest
twist in a juicy drama that has captivated Silicon Valley.

Hurd’s talent for driving efficiency and integrating
acquisitions will be a welcome addition at Oracle, analysts
said, as the company ramps up its push into hardware after its
$5.6 billion purchase of Sun Microsystems earlier this year.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Dell Inc and Hewlett-Packard Co dismissed worries about weakening tech demand, reporting broad-based strength from corporate customers and only hints of weakness from consumers.

Both faced questions on Thursday about the strength of the recovery in spending on technology, after Cisco Systems Inc CEO John Chambers’ warned about “unusual uncertainty” in the global economy.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Dell Inc (DELL.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and
Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) dismissed worries about weakening
tech demand, reporting broad-based strength from corporate
customers and only hints of weakness from consumers.

Both faced questions on Thursday about the strength of the
recovery in spending on technology, after Cisco Systems Inc
(CSCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) CEO John Chambers’ warned about “unusual uncertainty”
in the global economy. [ID:nN1298256]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Hewlett-Packard Co on Wednesday named executive search firm Spencer Stuart to lead the search for a new chief executive following the stunning ouster of Mark Hurd this month.

The search will consider both internal and external candidates to helm the world’s largest technology company by revenue.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Hewlett-Packard Co on Wednesday named executive search firm Spencer Stuart to lead the search for a new chief executive following the stunning ouster of Mark Hurd this month.

The search will consider both internal and external candidates to helm the world’s largest technology company by revenue.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 17 (Reuters) – Former Hewlett Packard Co
(HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) contractor Jodie Fisher alleged that she lost work from
the company because she did not have sex with ex-CEO Mark Hurd,
a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

It was the first time the nature of Fisher’s claim has been
reported, since HP had previously only said that Hurd was
accused of sexual harassment without giving any details.