Thread

Oracle cites 'force majeure' to shield itself on controversial data center

155 points · 153 comments · simonpure

tiffanyh · 1790264251 · focus · HN ↗
I realize there’s a lot of hate in this thread, but I think there’s another side to this.
Force majeure is basically there for situations where something outside a company’s control prevents them from delivering on a contract.
I can see Oracle’s argument here. A number of states and local governments that were originally very supportive of new data centers, including places like Texas and Pennsylvania, have since started blocking or restricting new construction.
If Oracle signed these contracts and the government later changed the rules and have stopped those projects from moving forward, it’s hard to argue they should still be held to the same delivery commitments.
(That seems pretty close to the type of situation force majeure is meant for.)
1. SlightlyLeftPad · 1790272592 · focus · HN ↗
  It’s so well known that Oracle is such a hostile and predatory company, it’s sooo hard for me to look at this objectively.
  1. p4ul · 1790279783 · focus · HN ↗
    Be careful, you're in danger of anthropomorphizing the lawnmower. [1]
    [1] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zRN7XLCRhc&t=2308s" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zRN7XLCRhc&t=2308s
    SlightlyLeftPad · 1790315995 · focus · HN ↗
    Ah, so eloquently stated.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.