Can Oracle collect on Android too?
Summary: Oracle is working hard to keep its Java patent claims going in its ongoing lawsuit against Google over Android and if you follow the money the reasons are fairly obvious. Oracle wants to collect from Android device makers just like Microsoft does.
Oracle is working hard to keep its Java patent claims going in its ongoing lawsuit against Google over Android and if you follow the money the reasons are fairly obvious. Oracle wants to collect from Android device makers just like Microsoft does.
Florian Mueller recaps the latest on Oracle's efforts to keep its Java patents going. Oracle is suing Google and wants big Android damages and royalties. Mueller noted that Oracle wants to notch a Google win and then go after other device makers.
But there's another possibility: Oracle could go after device makers now even before the result of the Google trial. Wouldn't some device makers pay Oracle a royalty fee for protection regardless of the Google lawsuit outcome?
Also see: Google's Android IP headache may become a migraine
Microsoft is already announcing a bevy of licensing deals with Android device makers such as General Dynamics Itronix, Onkyo and Wistron. The common thread between these device makers: They're all too small to waste time losing to Microsoft in court. Once Microsoft nailed a licensing deal with HTC all the smaller players had to fall in line.
Oracle could just use Microsoft's Android playbook with its Java patents.
In the end, you could have a nightmare scenario for Android. Anyone can use the free OS, but first you have to pay Microsoft and Oracle before possibly being sued by Apple, who isn't likely to license its patents on any terms to a rival.
Related:
- Google pans Oracle damages argument: Java was fragmented well before Android
- Oracle wants big cut of Android damages as Google’s IP headache gets worse
- Oracle vs. Google over Java: Android lawsuits may begin to pile up
- Oracle says Google directly copied Java code: Here’s the line-by-line comparison
- Google: We didn’t infringe on Java; Oracle’s smoking code was rigged
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Talkback
Magic 8 ball says...
Magic 8 was patented BTW. -nt-
nt
I guess patents
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
Who's products would that be? The >10 billion-a-quarter Oracle's or the >15 billion-a-quarter MS?
Or did you mean Android, which Google gives away?
Now that's interesting
If you think about it - MS making money from Android via handset makers, handset makers making money from Android via free OS, Oracle possibly making from Android money through patent licensing in the future, and Google is making how much? Nothing?
You are talking about companies
We don't even know what patents Microsoft has, or I'd comment on them. If Oracle was making real money off of Java, though, they wouldn't be doing this.
Please try to restrict your answer to a product and not a company. Thank you. ^_^
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
One can't help but wonder if it'll end up being cheaper to license WinPhone 7/8/... rather than license Android + Google Apps + MS' Patents + Oracle's Patents + everyone else's patents.
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
No way Larry Elli$on!
Oracle should drop the lawsuit and apologise!
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
I know everything you say is a joke but I just....it just hurts sometimes to read what you post.
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
so $CO demise at the hands of FOSS was a joke?
truth hurts only the patent trolls and Oracle does not have a case!
All respectable legal scholars said so. Just read it on groklaw!
Actually, I think he is very serious.
That is the sad part.
groklaw is higly motivated to a specific political view.
Hmm, "pots and kettles" spring to mind...
<i>"And its information is frequently suspect and needs to be read with special goggles."</i>
Strange that Groklaw has frequently been proved right, then. Perhaps your "special goggles" are actually some kind of blindfold? You are of course free to point out anything you believe to be inaccurate on Groklaw, rather than this random and unspecific sniping.
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
Not a good omen for Oracle
They are always re-examined in these disputes.
That means nothing.
RE: Can Oracle collect on Android too?
It means everything if the a final action is issued and some of Oracle's patents are thrown out. Oracle needs the patents to be a threat to Google.
EPIC FAIL.
It means nothing at this point.
These things take several years to work out and the patent re-examination is <b>always</b> a part of the process. It is just that, part of the process and at this point is 100% meaningless.
Typically, part or some of the claims will be discarded but seldom will all of the claims be discarded. The patent infringer is still fully on the hook for the claims that are infringed.
At this point, we have no idea how this could turn out.
It could cost Google nothing. It could cost them $10,000,000,000 plus ongoing payments.
<b>we simply do not know at this point in time</b>
Your understanding of the process is simplistic and the only EPIC FAIL here.
Or not. You could very easilly read the statement
"Apon re-examination of the patents in question, the USPTO upholds the validity of the original patents, those belonging to Oracle, the patent holders and owners"
Which would mean that Google pays, [b]plus[/b] the interest and other time related costs.