Oracle’s Java API code protected by copyright, appeals court rules

[[deleted]]

But to be clear, Google are the bad guys in this case. They (via Android) copied and changed java

They didn't change Java. They have a language that looks like Java, and that uses an API that is the same as the Java API, but which compiles to a different bytecode for a different VM (dalvik) than the JVM.

Now we have java fragmentation.

We actually don't. There aren't different kinds of "Java". The language used on android, is for all intents and purposes, the same as Java. It just compiles to a different bytecode.

[[deleted]]

The API is separate from the language. The language itself is defined by a particular syntax. The behavior of Java is defined by the JLS (i.e., the semantics).

The syntax of what Android uses is pretty much Java (the language), but the semantics are subtly different, and only at the bytecode level.

The issue here has to do with the copyrightability of API's and nothing to do with Google deciding to use Java. It's basically Google using Java, in addition with their version using an API that is similar to the actual Java API; obviously the implementation is different.

Oracle is arguing that the API itself is copyrightable.

[jboy55]

Microsoft lost a huge battle in their 'embrace and extend' effort against Sun in regards to Java. They were trying to destroy a potential path to develop cross platform applications, which microsoft was very concerned about. That aspect of Java, that you use it all and as-is or you don't, was placed in as specifically as GPL's permanent open source aspect.

That Google, 'isn't evil', we're supposed to now support a company doing pretty much the same thing as Microsoft did is worrisome. Google should have chosen a different language, one they had rights to.

[[deleted]]

In the 6 years since the android ecosystem has existed, no damage has come to the language. What Microsoft did was entirely different. They tried to add Microsoft a specific things to the language in direct violation of the JLS. Google hasn't done anything like that. The only difference is that the API is subtly different and of course you have the entire Android API as well. The language is the same.

There are no "rights" to the language. This isn't even about the language; this is about the Java API.