Oracle wins $58.5 mln in attorneys' fees in Rimini copyright case

Sept 23 (Reuters) - Oracle (ORCL.N) is entitled to more than $58.5 million in attorneys' fees and costs from rival Rimini Street (RMNI.O) in their long-running copyright dispute over Rimini's alleged theft of Oracle software, a Nevada federal court said on Monday.

U.S. District Judge Miranda Du found that the award was justified by Oracle's success in the litigation and Rimini's repeated infringement and misconduct.

Spokespeople and attorneys for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.

Las Vegas-based Rimini provided technical support for Oracle enterprise software clients starting in 2008. Oracle accused Rimini in 2010 of illegally downloading and misusing its software and support materials for Rimini clients.

Rimini was ordered to pay Oracle $90 million following a 2015 jury verdict for Oracle, including $58.1 million in damages and $31.9 million in attorneys' fees and costs.

Rimini separately sued Oracle in 2014, seeking a court ruling that it had stopped infringing Oracle's copyrights. Oracle countersued with additional claims of copyright infringement, false advertising and other allegations.

Du issued a permanent injunction blocking Rimini's continued infringement last year. The judge ordered Rimini on Monday to pay the majority of Oracle's requested attorneys' fees.

"Rimini litigated this case for some nine years before the Court found it a recidivist infringer who lied to conceal its infringement, enabling it to successfully compete against Oracle for the support of Oracle's products during those nine years," Du said. "Rimini's false statements and history of recidivism suggest that more deterrence is required to prevent Rimini from infringing on Oracle's copyrights going forward."

The case is Oracle International Corp v. Rimini Street Inc, U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, No. 2:14-cv-01699.