Oracle scoffed at BEA last night, describing the middleware's self-set $21 per share price tag as "impossibly high" and saying it had no intention of raising its offer.

BEA has been snubbing Oracle's offer of $17 per share, but yesterday said it would authorise negotiations with Oracle and other bidders at a price of $21 per share – valuing the company at $8.15bn.

It went on to twist the knife, saying: "Nobody would seriously consider paying that kind of multiple for a software company with shrinking new license sales."

Oracle restated its call for BEA's board to put its $17 per share offer to a shareholder vote, and reiterated its intention to drop the bid and "move on and evaluate other potential acquisitions" if BEA's directors refuse to play ball. ®

Related stories

• BEA slices into two-tier EMEA market with Magirus (21 January 2008)
• BEA finally says yes to Oracle - for $8.5bn (16 January 2008)
• Oracle slaps SAP in the chops (20 December 2007)
• Icahn blasts BEA board as Oracle walks away (29 October 2007)
• BEA will talk to anyone for $8.3bn (25 October 2007)
• Oracle and BEA swap public love letters (24 October 2007)
• Comment BEA and Oracle - doing the math (16 October 2007)
• Updated BEA rejects Oracle bid (12 October 2007)