SAN FRANCISCO — Oracle v. Google became Alsup v. Boies. At least for a few momentous minutes on Tuesday.

The tough judge and famed litigator fought over tricky issues involving damages in a case that has gotten messier as the trial, now in its fourth week, has progressed. After the brief but colorful hearing over how much the whole thing is now worth, U.S. District Judge William Alsup seemed open to a proposition by Oracle’s attorney David Boies.