Oracle Sues Google Over Java in Android Devices

By Geoff Duncan August 13, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Database giant Oracle has filed a lawsuit (PDF) against Google in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, claiming Google’s open source Android operating system infringes on seven patents related to Java. In its complaint, Oracle alleges Google was fully aware of the Java patents, and even to the extent of hiring some of Sun’s Java engineers to work on the project. Oracle is seeing a jury trail and unspecified damages.

“In developing Android, Google knowingly, directly, and repeatedly infringed Oracle’s Java-related intellectual property” an Oracle spokesperson wrote in a statement. “This lawsuit seeks appropriate remedies for their infringement.”

Google has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Google’s Android operating system includes the Dalvik virtual machine, which is a Java-compatible register-based system developed independently of Sun Microsystems’ Java virtual machine. Oracle claims the Dalvik VM infringes on Sun’s Java patents, which Oracle acquired when it bought Sun for $7.4 billion in 2009.

Dalvik is the primary platform for developing native applications for Android devices. However, Google’s Android SDK has its own runtime and compiler—Java applications cannot simply be copied over to Android devices, they must be recompiled.

Prior to its acquisition by Oracle, Sun had tried to shutter the Harmony Project, an effort at the Apache Software Foundation to create an Apache-licensed Java SE (Standard Edition) implementation. Android includes class libraries from Harmony.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

Google Pixel 9: news, rumored price, release date, and more

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google's latest and most powerful devices, but it won't be that way for long. Rumors of the Google Pixel 8a mean this pair of flagships will be supplanted as the latest Google phones fairly soon — but they'll be able to hold on to the title of "most powerful" for a little while longer. The Google Pixel 9 range, while definitely on the way, isn't due to arrive any time soon.

But when it does, it's sure to be a pair of blockbusters. Leaks for the Pixel 9 family are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but it seems as if Google is planning on making some big changes this time around. If leaks are correct, we expect a new look and some exciting new AI features that go beyond what we've seen before.

Mobile

Bixby vs. Google Assistant: Which AI is better for you?

google assistant mobile.

The world of AI has seen tons of innovation recently, with ChatGPT and OpenAI stealing much of the spotlight over the past year. However, ChatGPT is relatively new compared to two other AI platforms available in 2024 -- Samsung's Bixby and Google Assistant. And while Bixby and Google Assistant might not have the "cool factor" of emerging AI systems, there's no denying their versatility and functionality.
Google Assistant and Samsung's Bixby are available on a variety of Android devices. They'll both take commands and help streamline your daily tasks -- but is one better than the other? And are Bixby and Google Assistant compatible with all Android devices, or are they limited in their reach? More importantly, do they work on devices beyond smartphones?
Here's a comprehensive comparison of Bixby and Google Assistant to help you decide which fits best with your lifestyle.
Bixby vs. Google Assistant: device integration

Google Assistant is available on all Google Nest and Home products, including Android TVs, lights, security cams, speakers, and more. Google Assistant is also available on Android Auto, so you can use the virtual assistant to execute commands when you’re driving. Google Assistant is available on other brands' smart devices too, so you can use Google's voice assistant on Lenovo's Smart Home System. You'll also find it in all of the best Android phones, but did you know you can also download and use it on Apple iPhones as well?
Samsung’s Bixby, on the other hand, is limited to Samsung devices, like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It's also limited to only being able to control other devices via the SmartThings app, rather than having native support. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is more restricted. However, full functionality of Bixby is limited to newer devices, so unlike Google Assistant, which tends to be available to older devices, you'll need to keep upgrading to get the most out of Bixby.
This won’t matter much for users who’ve been using Samsung devices for years and want to continue investing in new Samsung products, but if you live with people using different Android devices, Google Assistant might be a better option for smoother integration across devices.
The winner is pretty clear here. Google Assistant is available on a lot more devices, including Apple iPhones, and helps you to create a comprehensive system for convenient use.
Winner: Google Assistant
Bixby vs. Google Assistant: performance and accessibility

Mobile

How to reverse image search on Android or iPhone

A reverse image search is a handy way to figure out the origin of an image, locate similar images, or fact check an image. There are a multitude of ways to perform a reverse image search on your mobile device, whether you're using an Android phone or an iPhone.

For example, here's how to do a reverse image search via Google lens on Android: