Google Wins Java Copyright Case Against Oracle

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A federal jury ruled that Google’s use of Oracle’s Java software didn’t violate copyright law, the latest twist in a six-year legal battle between the two Silicon Valley companies. Oracle sued Google in 2010 for using parts of Java without permission in its Android smartphone software. A federal appeals court ruled in 2014 that Oracle could copyright the Java parts, but Google argued in a new trial that its use of Java was limited and covered by rules permitting “fair use” of copyright material. A 10-person jury agreed.

Google acknowledged using 11,000 lines of Java software code. But it said that amounted to less than 0.1% of the 15 million lines of code in its Android mobile-operating system, which runs most of the world’s smartphones. Oracle sued Google for using 37 Java APIs in Android. Google said requiring it to have a license for the APIs would stifle software innovation by discouraging programmers from using APIs. That would make software development harder and could render some apps inoperable, Google said. Oracle, meanwhile, argued that Google took its property without permission. The verdict is unlikely to end the long legal saga, which already had a brief stop at the US Supreme Court. Oracle quickly said it would appeal.


Google Wins Java Copyright Case Against Oracle Oracle v. Google Decision Marks Another Fair Use Win for Consumers (Public Knowledge) Google 'Fair Use' Victory Applauded (Broadcasting&Cable)