Sun, Java and software in general looses a bad patent decision
Posted by Chris Samuel on Oct 3rd, 2004
2004
Oct 3
Groklaw is reporting that Kodak have won a software patent lawsuit against Sun Microsystems and are now claiming US$1.06 billion dollars in damages on Sun’s hardware sales because of an alleged infringement of Java on a patent of Kodaks.
Why are they claiming on Sun’s hardware sales? Because Java can be downloaded for free and Kodak say that Java provides “the engine for such computer equipment”. I can’t believe that a court accepted that as an argument.. 
Australia, are you watching ? This is what’s coming our way now the FTA is entering law, bringing software patents with it..