Judge William Alsup – who presided over Google’s victory in May, which Oracle is set to appeal – ordered the companies to hand over the names by 17 August, reports The Inquirer web site.

Possible appeal

Judge Alsup’s order states: ‘The court is concerned that the parties and/or counsel herein may have retained or paid print or internet authors, journalists, commentators or bloggers who have and/or may publish comments on the issues in this case.
‘Although proceedings in this matter are almost over, they are not fully over yet and, in any event, the disclosure required by this order would be of use on appeal.’
A spokesperson for Oracle told the newspaper: ‘Oracle has always disclosed all of its financial relationships in this matter, and it is time for Google to do the same. We read this order to also include indirect payments to entities who, in turn, made comments on behalf of Google.’
Google has so far declined to comment.