Oracle needed 18 months to complete a hostile takeover of PeopleSoft, before purchasing the rival vendor for $10.3 billion in December 2004. The early days of Oracle’s bid for BEA Systems do not seem promising if Oracle wants a friendly takeover. Here’s a look at what’s happened so far. (See also: Oracle and BEA: What happens next?)

Oct. 9: Oracle offers to buy BEA for $17 per share, the equivalent of $6.7 billion.

Oct. 11: BEA letter rejects offer, saying “BEA is worth substantially more to Oracle.”

Oct. 12: A day after being rejected, Oracle goes public, issuing press release detailing its offer for BEA and hopes for a “friendly transaction.”

Oct. 22: BEA rejects Oracle offer for a second time.

Oct. 23: Oracle letter to BEA demands shareholder vote on an acquisition agreement, saying no other company has offered a better deal.

Oct. 23 (later in the day): BEA says its board is unanimously opposed to Oracle’s offer, but says it would be open to selling for a “reasonable price.”

Oct. 25: BEA takes the initiative, saying it will consider selling to “third parties including Oracle” at a price of $21 per share.

Oct. 25 (later in the day): Oracle calls BEA’s proposal “impossibly high” and says it won’t raise its offer of $17 per share.