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At the time,I speculated that it was related to legal exposure. Microsoft filed an Amicus brief supporting Oracles view that API's are copyrightable (in Oracle

At the time,I speculated that it was related to legal exposure. Microsoft filed an Amicus brief supporting Oracles view that API's are copyrightable (in Oracle v Google, a case which is about to be heard by SCOTUS). Should Oracle prevail, Microsoft could be on the hook for implementing Androids API's, and their amicus would ironically be evidence of their willfulness.

useerup 6y ago
> Microsoft filed an Amicus brief supporting Oracles view that API's are copyrightable No, actually Microsoft filed an amicus brief supporting Google's view: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-956/89566/20190225161900311_Brief%20of%20Microsoft%20Corporation%20as%20Amicus%20Curiae.pdf https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-956/89566/20190...
- sangnoir 6y ago
  > No, actually Microsoft filed an amicus brief supporting Google's view: You are wrong to say "No" (but overall partially correct). The SCOTUS amicus is the second amicus Microsoft has filed on this long-running case - initially they were supporting Oracle's appeal[0] to the federal appeals circuit[1] in 2013. Rough timeline: Microsoft files amicus in support of Oracle in 2013 (on appeal). Project Astoria was killed in 2016. Supreme court agrees to hear Oracle v Google 2019/20. Microsoft files amicus in support of Google 2020. Microsoft announces new Android runner late 2020. 0. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/microsoft-foresees-chaos-if-google-v-oracle-result-stands/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/microsoft-forese... 1. https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MSFT-Oracle-Brief.pdf https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MSFT-...
whereistimbo 6y ago
After Project Astoria, Microsoft and Google sign pact to not sue each other anymore[0]. At the time I was speculating that's because Microsoft was using Android code which is licensed under Apache license. I had no concrete proof over this speculation beyond the fact that using Android code means dealing with Apache license, which forbid the licensee to do patent litigation against the licensor/licensee. [0]: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34409077 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34409077

useerup 6y ago

> Microsoft filed an Amicus brief supporting Oracles view that API's are copyrightable No, actually Microsoft filed an amicus brief supporting Google's view: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-956/89566/20190225161900311_Brief%20of%20Microsoft%20Corporation%20as%20Amicus%20Curiae.pdf https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-956/89566/20190...

sangnoir 6y ago
> No, actually Microsoft filed an amicus brief supporting Google's view: You are wrong to say "No" (but overall partially correct). The SCOTUS amicus is the second amicus Microsoft has filed on this long-running case - initially they were supporting Oracle's appeal[0] to the federal appeals circuit[1] in 2013. Rough timeline: Microsoft files amicus in support of Oracle in 2013 (on appeal). Project Astoria was killed in 2016. Supreme court agrees to hear Oracle v Google 2019/20. Microsoft files amicus in support of Google 2020. Microsoft announces new Android runner late 2020. 0. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/microsoft-foresees-chaos-if-google-v-oracle-result-stands/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/microsoft-forese... 1. https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MSFT-Oracle-Brief.pdf https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MSFT-...

whereistimbo 6y ago

After Project Astoria, Microsoft and Google sign pact to not sue each other anymore[0]. At the time I was speculating that's because Microsoft was using Android code which is licensed under Apache license. I had no concrete proof over this speculation beyond the fact that using Android code means dealing with Apache license, which forbid the licensee to do patent litigation against the licensor/licensee. [0]: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34409077 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34409077