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ARTICLE · 30 OCTOBER 2013

When Two Worlds Collide: The Oracle And Google Dispute

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The dispute between Google and Oracle, over whether Java application programming interfaces (APIs) can be copyrighted, continues.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Nick Fiducia
Nick Fiducia
Simon Briskman
Simon Briskman

The dispute between Google and Oracle, over whether Java application programming interfaces (APIs) can be copyrighted, continues. Many commentators believe that whichever way the case goes, it will have a profound effect on the future of software development.

Global software giant Oracle has refused to accept defeat in its ongoing battle with Google over Java and the fundamental building blocks of Google's hugely successful Android mobile operating system.

The story can be seen as the latest eruption in the battle between software owners and the copyleft movement. But, in a neat twist to the tale, Oracle is also an open source licensor and Google an IPR owner. The case brings home the blurred lines in the software industry between using intellectual property rights as a lever to protect investment while exploiting open source as a baseline for new innovations. Some big players now do both.

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