Merger would result in higher prices, fewer choices for customers, DOJ said The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Thursday to block Oracle Corp.’s attempted hostile takeover of PeopleSoft Inc.If the combination took place, it would eliminate competition between two top providers of enterprise software, resulting in higher prices and fewer choices for customers, the DOJ said. The agency said it sees Oracle, PeopleSoft and SAP AG as the only companies that sell enterprise applications meeting the needs of large organizations.The Attorneys Generals of Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota and Texas are joining the DOJ’s lawsuit. DOJ officials recommended earlier this month, in a preliminary decision, that the agency move to prevent the acquisition. Executives from Oracle, which maintains that the enterprise software market is highly competitive, said they would work to change the agency’s mind. The company had indicated that if the DOJ moved to block the acquisition, it would consider fighting the DOJ’s decision in court.Oracle began its acquisition campaign last June, with an unsolicited tender offer to PeopleSoft’s shareholders for control of the company. The all-cash offer has been raised twice and is now valued at $9.4 billion. DatabasesSoftware DevelopmentTechnology IndustrySmall and Medium Business