Why is the Supreme Court decision about Google’s copying of Oracle’s Java API a landmark decision?

The Supreme Court found Google’s use of Java API to be fair use because:

  • Its use of the Java API was transformative;

  • The amount of code copied amounted to only a small percentage;

  • The nature of the work copied was technical and considered non-creative; and

  • Sun Microsystems, the original owner of the protected work, had little chance of entering the mobile phone market, and as such, the copying of the Java API’s had no adverse market effects.

Read about the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Google v Oracle case.

Klemchuk LLP

This blog is published by Klemchuk LLP, a litigation, intellectual property, transactional, and international business law firm dedicated to protecting innovation. The firm provides tailored legal solutions to industries including software, technology, retail, real estate, consumer goods, ecommerce, telecommunications, restaurant, energy, media, and professional services.

The firm publishes Ideate, a blog discussing the latest news and insights into intellectual property law, business, and culture.

Previous
Previous

How are client lists protected as trade secrets?

Next
Next

Why is California banning dark patterns as deceptive trade practices?