(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK) Tech giant Google Inc.'s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android mobile software did not infringe on Oracle Corp.'s (NASDAQ:ORCL) Java programming language, a San Francisco jury ruled in a patent suit Wednesday.
Android is developed by Google on an open source basis, meaning that outside parties can work on the software code, which is provided free to device makers.
Earlier this month, a jury found that Oracle had proven copyright infringement for parts of Java. The jury, however, could not unanimously agree on whether Google could fairly use that material.
Without a finding against Google on the fair use question, Oracle cannot recover damages on their copyright claims.
At one point, Oracle was seeking roughly $1 billion in damages.
Oracle had originally asserted a handful of patents were being infringed, though the number was cut down to two by the time the trial began last month.
"Today's jury verdict that Android does not infringe Oracle's patents was a victory not just for Google but the entire Android ecosystem," a Google spokesman said in a statement.
Oracle filed suit against Google in August 2010, alleging that Android infringed Oracle's Java technology.
As part of courtroom proceedings leading up to the trial, Google suggested a proposal allowing Oracle a percentage of future Android-related revenue, if Google was found to infringe on Oracle's patents.
Oracle objected to that proposal, calling it insufficient.
Shares in Oracle were up in late afternoon trading on Wednesday, up 1.82 percent to $26.83, Google's stock was up 1.37 percent at $609.11.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.