Google

Well, it looks like Google has received a nice bit of holiday cheer from British Telecom (BT). Jolly good show? Not so! BT is suing Google for infringing six of its patents . This action follows a long line of recent litigation involving Android technology, and additional Google applications are targeted. Here at M·CAM, we’re feeling a bit knackered in hearing about broad scope patent infringement, however, it is our duty to shed light on absurdity.

It's settled. We've figured out Microsoft's costume for this year's Halloween party: Ralphie's pink bunny suit from A Christmas Story.

Why?

Given its licensing program – and recently, its agreement with Quanta, Amazon’s Kindle Fire manufacturer – why not? A look at Microsoft’s IP Licensing page tells us the company “has entered into more than 700 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio.”

Why? That’s the question we’ve been asking ourselves. Maybe its obvious to most of the capital markets and pundits alike, but… standing upon the proverbial rock from which we survey the “weather” on the financial horizon… we have to wonder why Oracle would sue Google for distributing a free product that is based, in part, on another free product? Why would Oracle put the lifespan of Android (and likely the Java ecosystem as a whole) at risk of near-term death?