Google, Oracle Deny Direct Payments To Media 41
itwbennett writes "Earlier this month, the judge in the Oracle v. Google trial ordered the companies to disclose the names of bloggers and reporters who had taken payments from them. Not surprisingly, both companies have denied making direct payments to writers (with the exception of Florian Mueller of FOSSPatents, whose relationship to Oracle was disclosed in April). But Oracle has tattled on Google regarding some indirect connections. In particular, Oracle called out Ed Black for an article he wrote about the case for Forbes. And Jonathan Band, co-author of the book, 'Interfaces on Trial 2.0,' which Google cited in its April 3, 2012 copyright brief."
Groklaw has an in-depth look at the filings. Oracle's fingerpointing is based in part on this BBC article and this piece at The Recorder, both of which they entered into evidence. Google's filing (PDF) affirmed that they have not paid media for articles or done any quid pro quo in exchange for coverage. However, they acknowledged that many people receive money from Google through other means (the company's philanthropy, ad business, etc.), and asked the judge if he wanted further details about those instances.
Re:Florian thread! (Score:5, Insightful)
I think that at this point, it was bloody obvious that Florian was a "paid for opinion" going back a few years. The first sign was probably was when he became a hired gun telling Munich that the skies would darken with lawyers over patents if they went through with their migration.
And he's dodged the question ever since, especially on LWN, even though everyone "knows" that he's been bought off, because no sane person would hold his opinions. It's actually better for people to consider you bought off instead of insane, no?
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BMO
Florian Muller (Score:5, Insightful)
When it comes to attacking Google, he doesn't even limit himself to patent issues any more:
http://www.fosspatents.com/2012/08/googles-motorola-mobility-lays-off.html [fosspatents.com]
Now he's not just a patents expert, despite not being a lawyer, he is also an expert on the whole industry, and has inside knowledge to tell us how buying Motorola is already a colossally bad deal mere months after the deal closed.
I despair for journalism, if this guy is what passes for it now.