Oracle calls Google chief into Java dispute

Oracle has requested that the head of Google, Larry Page, appear in court to answer questions in the ongoing alleged patent infringement case between the two companies.

The filing, made on Thursday, requested permission to question Page on the basis that he was instrumental in the decision to acquire Android in 2005, a start-up at the time.

"Page also participated in negotiations that took place between Sun and Google regarding a Java licence for Android and in subsequent communications with Oracle's CEO, Larry Ellison," the filing added.

The patent dispute centres on Google's implementation of Java in the Android operating system. The letter also requested depositions from three other Google executives that Oracle said are instrumental to the patent case.

Google's response to the request — contained within the same jointly filed letter — was that it would be "harassing" Page and that " the deposition of Page is superfluous given the testimony already available through other witnesses noticed within the discovery limits".

Google additionally said Oracle had taken an excessive amount of time to begin deposing witnesses.

"Oracle failed to get cracking. It did not take its first deposition until April and now, with the end of discovery approaching in less than three weeks, it wants to cram four additional and unnecessary depositions into an already-crowded schedule," Google wrote.

However, the letter also notes that "the fundamental problem with Google's argument is that it ignores, and would have the court ignore, Google's own evidence, positions, and conduct in this litigation", Oracle wrote.

Google has also requested that Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison answer questions under oath in a deposition.