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Oracle takeover of Sun receives US approval

21 Aug 2009


Oracle, the software giant run by outspoken billionaire Larry Ellison, has won US approval for its $7.4 billion takeover of Sun Microsystems.

The Department of Justice gave consent for the deal after months of wrangling over competition concerns.

The takeover will give Ellison control of Sun's Java software which is used by many of Oracle's rivals, including IBM.

Java runs on more than seven billion electronic devices around the world, including computers and mobile phones.

Ellison, 65, wants to build and sell Sun computers pre-loaded with Oracle software, and improve Java so it is easier to use on smartphones.

The Oracle head is the fourth richest man in the world, according to Forbes, with a fortune of $22.5 billion. He is a friend of Apple founder Steve Jobs — but a bitter rival of Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Ellison agreed to buy Sun in April, after a tug of war with rivals IBM and HP.

Despite winning US consent, the deal still needs approval from the European Commission — which has traditionally been more robust in regulating technology companies.

EU regulators have promised a decision by 3 September.

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