Supreme Court Sides with Oracle in Copyright Ruling
Internet titan Google was humbled on June 29 by the United States Supreme Court, which refused to review a case over whether the Java interface for Android OS infringes on Oracle copyrights.
In refusing to make a ruling, the justices effectively rejected Google’s argument that it could use some of Java’s proprietary code in its own version of Java without violating copyright. The court’s refusal leaves the search engine open to up to $1 billion in licensing fees.
In 2010, Oracle sued over Google’s use of a few lines of Java’s code for the search engine’s custom API (application program interface). Oracle owns the original Java programming language. Google’s contention was that its use of the original Java code constitutes fair useThis is a legal term related to U.S. copyright law. It refers to the instances in which it’s legal to use copyrighted material..
The case was originally decided in Google’s favor by a San Francisco federal judge. That decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit last year. In the appellate decision, judges ruled that Oracle should have copyright protection “until either the Supreme Court or Congress tells us otherwise” but that Google’s may have a fair use defense.
The justices’ refusal to make a decision means the software industry has no clear direction on whether APIs can be protected by copyright. Though it lost this round, Google isn’t bowing out without a fight.
“We will continue to defend the interoperability that has fostered innovation and competition in the software industry,” Google spokesman Aaron Stein told reporters.
Yahoo and Oracle Partner in Attempt to Usurp Google
Media giant Yahoo has joined software developer Oracle on another front in the battle against Google. Last week, Yahoo and Oracle came to an agreement that attempts to take a piece of the search engine pie.
height=”260″ />Users who install or update Oracle’s Java software will be asked if they would like to make Yahoo their default search engine and home page. According to Oracle’s site, 89 percent of desktop computer users in the United States use Java. This percentage does not include the billions of devices worldwide that also use Java software.
When Java is installed or updated, a pop up will ask if you would like to set Yahoo as your default homepage and search engine on Chrome and Internet Explorer. Simply click “Next” and the changes will be made. The checkbox is marked by default, and that could cause many users to switch their homepage and search engine without knowing it. Could Oracle be getting back at Google for the ongoing copyright battle?
If you use Firefox, Yahoo is already the default search engine. If you use Safari, Google has been the default search engine but its deal with Apple is expiring soon.
If you like Google and have Java software, make sure you are able to keep using your preferred search engine.
New App Revered as the ‘Tinder for Jobs’
Many college grads are finding out the American dream hasn’t panned out the way they had anticipated. Getting a job has become a difficult task, but one company is looking to make finding your dream career as easy as using a simple app.
The new iPhone app, Switch, is much like the popular dating app Tinder, but for career hookups. Users will be able to set up a profile and share their resume. The app then shows limited information about the candidate. This information is only limited until the HR personnel, hiring managers, and user swipe right and connect to see the rest of the job seeker’s details. Then, the company and candidate can instant message.
The way we get jobs has already shifted significantly, with popular digital offerings from companies like Monster and LinkedIn, and this new app will accelerate the change (and make it more fun). Switch is currently operating in New York and plans to expand its scope to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Washington, D.C. A version of the app for Android is also on its way, according to the company’s website.
Microsoft Office is Available on Your Android Phone – For Free
If you have an Android smartphone and want to work from anywhere using just your phone, the time has come. Microsoft announced at the end of June that Office is available on the Android platform for free.
You can edit Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets anywhere you go. No more lugging around laptops! Any changes you make from your phone will be seamlessly integrated with docs on your computer. Office for Android requires cloud storage, and you can use OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. Free Microsoft Office apps became available for Apple mobile devices in November of last year. Office for Apple devices has been integrated with iCloud storage since February.
Office for Android is free for personal use. To use this app commercially, there is a monthly subscription of only $10. If you get the premium version, you will get bonus features such as the ability to track edits in Word and annotate your slides using PowerPoint Ink.