Oracle Corp., the world's second- largest software producer, elaborated on the accusations it brought in the copyright infringement lawsuit against its opponent SAP AG over supposedly stolen program codes.

The two giant software makers produce software that helps companies manage operations such as payroll and accounting. More than a year ago, Redwood City, California-based Oracle sued SAP claiming that the latter’s employees hacked into a Web site and stole Oracle's copyrighted software codes and support documents.

According to a new court filing, SAP was aware, even before it purchased TomorrowNow in 2005, that the company was illegally accessing software from Oracle-purchased PeopleSoft Inc. The SAP execs went ahead with the acquisition despite the fact that Oracle had warned them that they might sue, Oracle said in its amended complaint.

“In addition to the illegal downloads, SAP - with the knowledge of SAP's executive board of directors - made thousands of copies of Oracle's underlying software applications on its computer systems,'' Oracle said.

According to Oracle Corporation, the company which also makes tools for database development, middle-tier software, enterprise resource planning software (ERP), claimed that SAP’ Byran, Texas-based TomorrowNow unit illegally accessed the codes to strengthen a service that provided technical support for customers of non-SAP software and then convert those customers to SAP products.