Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#1

Post by pdoconnell » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:04 PM UTC

Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]
supremecourt.gov

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#2

Post by gjsman-1000 » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:11 PM UTC

Oh my God. What a relief.

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#3

Post by whatshisface » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:11 PM UTC

Google's an LLC?

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#4

Post by gjsman-1000 » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:12 PM UTC

whatshisface wrote: post #3

Google's an LLC?

After a restructuring, Google is an LLC owned by Alphabet Inc. (the publicly listed organization).

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#5

Post by tyingq » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:12 PM UTC

The HN discussion from 2016 (Jury finds for Google): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11781053

From 2018 (Oracle revives matter via appeal): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16688521

Edit: Fixed, had written "Jury finds for Oracle", which was NOT what happened in 2016. Argh.

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#6

Post by esarbe » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:13 PM UTC

I'm so relieved. This could have forced such dramatic changes in how we develop software. And any other decision would have been a crippling blow to FLOS software.

Now if we only could get the SC to invalidate software patents in general.

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#7

Post by teruakohatu » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:14 PM UTC

> "Google copied approximately 11,500 lines of declaring code from the API, which amounts to virtually all the declaring code needed to call up hundreds of different tasks. Those 11,500 lines, however, are only 0.4 percent of the entire API at issue, which consists of 2.86 million total lines. In considering “the amount and substantiality of the portion used” in this case, the 11,500 lines of code should be viewed as one small part of the considerably greater whole. As part of an interface, the copied lines of code are inextricably bound to other lines of code that are accessed by programmers. Google copied these lines not because of their creativity or beauty but because they would allow programmers to bring their skills to a new smartphone computing environment."

Sanity prevailed! This judgment could have had devastating consequences and turned software development into a copyright nightmare.

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#8

Post by epaga » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:15 PM UTC

"The doctrine of “fair use” is flexible and takes account of changes in technology. Computer programs differ to some extent from many other copyrightable works because computer programs always serve a functional purpose. Because of these differences, fair use has an important role to play for computer programs by providing a context-based check that keeps the copyright monopoly afforded to computer programs within its lawful bounds."

This is EXCELLENT news for anyone in software development. Yay for Fair Use.

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#9

Post by The_rationalist » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:15 PM UTC

Now can they please use a modern jdk on Android? It's about time

Re: Google’s copying of the Java SE API was fair use [pdf]

#10

Post by andrewflnr » Mon, Apr 05, 2021, 2:15 PM UTC

Oh, I forgot this little apocalypse was hanging over our heads. It's good to see some sanity.