Google slapped with $5M fine in Linux patent lawsuit

A Texas jury decided to fine Google Inc. (GOOG) $5 million for infringing on Linux technology patents owned by Bedrock Computer Technologies.
Google’s Android operating system uses the Linux kernel code, and the verdict from the Eastern District of Texas could also result in trouble for Nokia Corp. (NOK) and Intel Corp. (INTC), which both use the MeeGo operating system, also operating on Linux.
Bedrock wants to stop Google from leveraging the Linux kernel code and may lead to the removal of the technology in the Android OS.
Representatives from Google are on the record with plans to appeal the ruling. It’s likely that Google will try to have the patent declared invalid but cases such as these can take several years to play out. If the patent and infringement claim holds, Bedrock could force companies using Linux or operating systems borne from Linux, to pay license fees and royalties.
“The recent explosion in patent litigation is turning the world’s information highway into a toll road, forcing companies to spend millions and millions of dollars defending old, questionable patent claims and wasting resources that would be much better spent investing in new technologies for users and creating jobs,” Google said in a statement to the BBC.
The original complaint, filed in 2009 against Google, also alleges that Yahoo, Amazon.com, PayPal, Match.com, MySpace, and AOL are all violating Bedrock’s patent of the Linux code. Google visited court first, likely due to the fact that the company uses one of the hugest sets of Linux-based services.
In another legal issue, Oracle Corp. recently filed litigation against Google in August concerning the use of Java virtual machine technology on Android, alleging that Android infringes on Java patents that were transferred when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems Inc. The shakeups may force Google to alter the kernel being used in the Android OS to avoid further infringement claims.