Oracle Sues Google Over Android's Use of Java
Oracle has just filed a lawsuit againt Google for patent and copyright infringement related to Android's use of Java.
"In developing Android, Google knowingly, directly and repeatedly infringed Oracle's Java-related intellectual property. This lawsuit seeks appropriate remedies for their infringement," said Oracle spokesperson Karen Tillman.
Developers around the world have been watching for clues about how Oracle would manage its new leadership role in the Java community. This lawsuit against Google is certain to raise serious questions and concerns, and some will no doubt feel it confirms their worst fears.
We've embedded the actual complaint below so you can read it for yourself. DZone will follow the matter closely to bring you more info as quickly as it becomes available.
Oracle Google Complaint
Comments
Jacek Furmankiewicz replied on Fri, 2010/08/13 - 11:10am
Mike P(Okidoky) replied on Fri, 2010/08/13 - 11:49am
Mike P(Okidoky) replied on Fri, 2010/08/13 - 12:25pm
2) This suit is used as feed for the anti-Java terrorism campaigns by people that do not like Java, including some here. I'm not falling for it. I'm not saying that anyone saying something negative about Oracle is engaged in anti Java campaigning, but some make this a regular habit and exploit every opportunity for their goal, which is not a constructive one.
cometta comettat replied on Sat, 2010/08/14 - 2:21am
Irek IrekM replied on Sat, 2010/08/14 - 5:25am
in response to:
Fabrizio Giudici
I guess that Oracle can't sue Microsoft (especially it's .net - very similar to Java) - I think that MS pays Oracle for patent licenses, or has some 'patent interchange' agreement.
They sued Google's Android in first place, because it's the direct competition to Java ME (which is now almost dead).
But Oracle could sue other FOSS projects - the topics covered by those patents are very generic and used widely in software (security, class packaging, ...).
It's all bad. Whereas patents for commercial projects could (or should) be paid, patents for FOSS projects (like Android) should be free (not only 'free as a beer' but also 'free as in freedom').
Fabrizio Giudici replied on Sun, 2010/08/15 - 11:03am
in response to:
Irek IrekM
I think there's a big misconception about what's happening. If I use OpenJDK, I can freely use the security and class packaging features that are part of this complaint, because the OpenJDL GPL license guarantees to me protection from patents infringments. If I developed something that is not Java and uses those security and class packaging features, I would be at risk of being sued.
I agree that software patents are flawed. But it's not true that large amounts of FOSS projects are at risk. Things that are built upon regular Java aren't, at least for the reasons that we're discussing about.
Edited to add:
There are many things that we're not understanding about this history. I think that before drawing any judgement we have to wait and learn more details.
Venkateswara Ra... replied on Mon, 2010/08/16 - 12:31pm
Gauthier, Hough... replied on Thu, 2011/08/04 - 1:31pm
Carla Brian replied on Mon, 2012/06/18 - 5:47pm