While Google Android smartphone sales may have passed the iPhone worldwide in the second quarter of 2010, it doesn’t take an Oracle to see that there’s trouble ahead for the company whose unofficial motto is “Do no evil.”. Google Inc. is being sued by Oracle Corp. because Oracle’s Java copyright was violated with the Android OS, reports the Wall Street Journal. . In January 2010, the company that began Java, Sun, was bought by Oracle. Hundreds of devices use Java, such as the Android Smartphone’s.
Seeking for damages in Oracle lawsuit
The WSJ says the Oracle lawsuit wants “unspecific damages and an injunction against ‘continued acts of infringement’ by Google.” Sun usually would authorize use of these licenses, which is why every person assumed Google was allowed to use free open-source Java licenses, although Google hasn’t officially responded to the public. A deal between Google and Oracle never was announced to the public. If an injunction against Google is given by the presiding California court, developers would be barred from creating applications for Android OS and shipments of Android phones would come to a halt.
Guarding all of your intellectual property
The Journal interviewed tech analyst Ray Wang who said that the Oracle “takes a lot more care in terms of protecting its IP, and Java is one of the crown jewels of the Sun acquisition,” although Sun would traditionally be respectful of open-source software and free exchange of ideas. Perhaps it is as PC World suggests, that Oracle clings to IP since the U.S. government is on its tail over tax evasion. It appears like the company is relying on the court system to pay for it now that Google is its main rivalry instead of Microsoft.
Further reading on this topic
PC World
pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/203336/oracles_fall_from_tech_giant_to_patent_troll.html?tk=hp_new
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704407804575426122820659864.html
“Trade the Trend” report on the Oracle-Google lawsuit
youtube.com/watch?v=ooYOG00oXpY
