I’ve been ‘watching’ the Google/Oracle trial since week – a very interesting trial which from Oracle’s viewpoint is not going according to plan. The initial suit was estimated at around $6 billion which is a considerable sum of money, even for Google. That figure has now been revised ( after a push from the judge ) to around $100 million, a still considerable sum but far more pallatable. The crux of the matter comes down to whether or not an API is copyrightable, and if so, what monetary figure can be applied in this case for restitution. Google did not copy the API verbatim ( except for 9 lines which have long been purged from the code ) and argues that the API is in any case, just a sequence of instructions on how to reach a common goal. I agree.
In addition, Sun had in that time frame, been more than happy to prostitute Java and as such, Oracle can’t complain now. It’s like saying that I gave you the right to use my new paint brushes to paint yesterday but now I’ve changed my mind, and I am suing you because my paint brushes are no longer new … cat’s out the bag!
