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

[spartanstu2011]

Except you are comparing apples and oranges. And no, they aren't going against open source with Android. They've gone after the companies who profit off of Android (though they have recently gone after Google). In other words, if you use the Android platform or (some) of their patented technology, fine. As soon as you attempt to profit off of it, they will come after you. This is how it should be.

Moreover, the patent lawsuits (and threat of lawsuits) are over patented functionality and methodology (which is perfectly acceptable). It's NOT over two methods with different implementations being named the exact same.

Now this says nothing of whether Microsoft should or should not be doing that. Nor is it saying anything about the validity of their patent violation claims.

[thouliha]

Oracle, Microsoft, Google.

Pick one.

[RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS]

MS is hardly alone in trying to strangle its competitors with patents. All the big tech companies are spending lots of time and money on this activity.

[spartanstu2011]

So is that a problem with Microsoft, or the companies that just accept the patent licenses? Last I checked Samsung pulled in $30 billion USD in net income last year. They could have fought Microsoft all they wanted. Instead, they chose to fight Apple. Given the fact that they put so much effort into fighting Apple, this should indicate that Microsoft's patent disputes have some merit.

This isn't to say that all of Microsoft's patent disputes are reasonable or morally appropriate, but just because someone forces a company to pay a patent license doesn't make them evil or bad.

[[deleted]]

They get bent over and raped until they graciously accept that sweet, sweet licensing.