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Comment by krona | Hacker News Reader

Everyone is focusing on Palantir. As someone who knows how much IBM has thrown at this over the past 2 years, it's really IBM and their historically strong relationship with the NYPD that is the real (but far more mundane) story.

Ultimately, if you piss off the IBM execs enough (which is what Palantir is exceptionally good at), then IBM will mobilize a significant chunk of the company to obliterate anything in its wake. Even if that means making a huge loss.

They then try to use that win as a template for future success. Unfortunately IBM is incapable at that since the harsh reality is its software division is just a bunch of incoherent acquisitions who can't generally collaborate.

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What's the beef between IBM & Palantir?

IBM is competing with Palantir via a product called Analyst's Notebook, which they bought from a company called i2 a while back. Prior to the buyout, i2 sued Palantir over how Palantir's "import from Analyst's Notebook" functionality had been implemented.

It's entirely possible that there are other things going on between Palantir and IBM, but I'm not aware of any other specific squabbles.

Disclosure: I worked at Palantir from mid 2009 to early 2014 and still own some stock.

To be clear, the suit that i2 filed alleged that Palantir stole trade secrets and requested that the suit move forward under RICO law (an anti-Racketeering law meant to fight organized crime). The judge agreed and Palantir settled almost immediately after. i2 then sold to IBM almost immediately after that.

The employees on Palantir's side who were involved also kept their jobs. That sends a really powerful message about who they are.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/36371667/i2-v-palantir-080910

Beyond the AN issue, there is a wider dispute around the DCGS program for the US Army. Palantir sold point solutions into US army airborne units and the marine corp, earned the respect of the intel analysts and delivered value quickly. Meanwhile the lumbering DCGS 'program of record' implemented by IBM was blowing out the schedule and the budget with meagre effective returns. When other US army units wanted to procure Palantir, they were blocked and redirected towards the failing DCGS program. Palantir cried fowl and sued ....

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-28/inside-pal...

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/judge-rules-in-favor-of-...

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