A federal appeals court ruled that Google violated Oracle’s copyrights by embedding Oracle APIs into devices containing the search giant’s software. At issue was whether or not Google properly used the API under its open source licensing provisions and if it constituted fair use.
Bloomberg News explained:
“Google’s use of Java shortcuts to develop Android went too far and was a violation of Oracle’s copyrights, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled Tuesday. The case — first filed in 2010 — was remanded to a federal court in California to determine how much the Alphabet Inc. unit should pay. Oracle had been seeking $8.8 billion, though that number could grow. Google expressed disappointment and said it’s considering its next steps in the case.”
You read that correctly: Oracle is asking for more than $8 billion (that’s billion with a “B”) in damages. So what, exactly, does this mean for your SaaS and Licensing Agreements?
Lawyer-Drafted Licensing Agreements Keep Businesses Out Of The Courtroom
Want to avoid a bitter contractual battle? Work with a SaaS attorney who will ensure that your software licensing agreements are drafted properly, include the correct license grants and restrictions, and don’t grant users over-broad rights.
Do you incorporate open source software into your SaaS or software offerings? If so, diligently review the licensing provisions. After all, you don’t want to be on the losing end of an $8 million dollar judgment, much less an $8 billion one.
Connect With A SaaS Lawyer
If you need guidance regarding SaaS agreements or an tech business matter, get in touch with us today. At HT Law, our experienced SaaS lawyers will help you navigate the confusing waters of software licensing. We’re happy to provide you with a free consult. Call (323) 813-5979 today to get started.
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