[ubuntu-uk] Oracle sues Google over Java

[Bruno Girin]

On Fri, 2010-08-13 at 11:27 +0100, Bruce Beardall wrote:
> For those who don't already know, Oracle has decided to sue Google for
> using Java, somehow missing the whole "Java is Open Source" idea. Is
> this what Oracle had in mind when buying Sun? An IP cash cow?
> 
> Details here:
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/13/oracle_sues_google/
> 

Oracle are not suing Google because they use Java, they are suing them
because they provide an implementation of Java in Android that is
completely incompatible with the Sun's implementation.

You have to look at it from Oracle's point of view to understand the
reason for this lawsuit:
      * Proprietary or open source implementations of Java that follow
        the specs are good for Oracle because they help spread Java.
      * Dalvik, the Android implementation is bad for Oracle because it
        fragments the JME market: you can't run an Android app on say a
        Nokia phone or vice-versa.

Now, love them or hate them, Oracle are no fools, they go after who they
think harms their business. Whether this is good or bad for the wider
Java community is open to debate.

In the meantime, I'll watch from the sidelines and will keep track of
the score, it should be interesting spectator sport.

Cheers,

Bruno