Verdict Reached in Google-Oracle Case

Story first appeared in TG Daily.

In a decision that will satisfy nobody, the jury in the Oracle-Google copyright case has concluded that Google did indeed infringe Oracle's Java copyrights - but failed to agree whether Google's actions amounted to 'fair use'.

The decision means that Google won't have to redesign its Android operating system, but may mean it's forced to license Java, according to Boston Intellectual Property Lawyers.

The Federal District Court jury in San Francisco yesterday agreed that Google did infringe Java copyright in using nine lines of code called rangeCheck.

Washington DC Intellectual Property Lawyers feel that Oracle is unlikely to see much of the $1 billion damages for which it's been calling: the comparatively minor infringement will net it $150,000 at best.

The overwhelming evidence demonstrated that Google knew it needed a license and that its unauthorized fork of Java in Android shattered Java's central write once run anywhere principle.

Every major commercial enterprise - except Google - has a license for Java and maintains compatibility to run across all computing platforms.

Google has said it plans to call for a mistrial, on the grounds that the verdict's meaningless without a decision over fair use. It's expected to file that motion today.

No one knows, or will ever know, what the jury discussed behind closed doors and why it couldn't reach a consensus on how to answer the 'fair use' question.

Salt Lake City Intellectual Property Litigators didn't like some of the definitions of the 'fair use' factors, such as what does or does not constitute 'transformative' use... With better jury instructions, and they believe believe the jury would have thrown out 'fair use' unanimously.

The next stage of the trial will focus on Oracle's allegation that Anndroid violates two Java patents. Fair use is no defense here - but even if Oracle succeeds in its claims, damages aren't likely to be huge.


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