Oracle sues Google for patent infringement

US software firm Oracle has issued a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the Android operating system backed by the internet services player infringes a number of patents that relate to the Oracle-owned Java software. Java was developed by Sun Microsystems, which Oracle acquired in a deal that was completed early this year.

In a statement issued late Thursday, Oracle claimed that Google “knowingly, directly and repeatedly infringed Oracle’s Java-related intellectual property,” adding that the lawsuit “seeks appropriate remedies”.

The lawsuit describes the Java platform as “one of the most important technologies Oracle acquired with Sun.” It goes on to detail the elements of the platform that it believes Google has purloined.

“The Android operating system software “stack” consists of Java applications running on a Java-based object-oriented application framework, and core libraries running on a “Dalvik” virtual machine (VM) that features just-in-time (JIT) compilation.Google actively distributes Android (including without limitation the Dalvik VM and the Android software development kit) and promotes its use by manufacturers of products and applications.” Android and Dalvik VM violate seven Oracle patents, the firm said.

Furthermore Oracle alleged that Google had known that it would be infringing Java patents since it hired Java engineers from Sun earlier in the decade.

Google responded to the lawsuit, calling it “baseless” and pledging to fight to clear its name.