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.
My recommendation (Score:3, Funny)
Pie fight in the courtroom.
I don't know about Oracle and Google, but I think I'd enjoy it.
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Re:My recommendation (Score:4, Funny)
Hopefully the pies that hit Oracle's lawyers will have hand grenades in them.
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Hopefully the pies that hit Oracle's lawyers will have hand grenades in them.
I don't think they have those on the menu at the Google cafeteria.
though I may be wrong
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Hopefully the pies that hit Oracle's lawyers will have hand grenades in them.
Fire one at the submitter and "editor" of TFA. That's a deceptive headline.
Oracle was forced to acknowledge paying Florian Mueller, and also stated:
"Certain Oracle employees may have blogged about issues relating to the case. See, e.g., https://blogs.oracle.com/hinkmond/ [oracle.com] (blogging about Java ME). Oracle did not ask or approve any of its employees to write about the case and does not track employee bloggers."
Note that Oracle's Social Media policy contradicts the statement:
Make Sure Your Management Approves
Please be aware that Oracle may choose to restrict social media activities that relate to your employment or Oracle’s business.
Remember that you are not an official spokesperson for Oracle. Make it clear that your opinions are your own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the corporation. See Policy Regarding Communications with Press and Analysts.
For this reason, Oracle employees with personal blogs that discuss Oracle’s business, products, employees, customers, partners, or competitors should include the following disclaimer in a visually prominent place on their blog:
"The views expressed on this [blog; Web site] are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Oracle."
By contrast, this is Google's statement:
“Our reply to the court is clear,” Google said, “no one on our side paid journalists, bloggers, or other commentators to write about this case.”
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The important question then becomes what kind of pie?
OK, I vote for Deadly Venomous Spider Surprise with whipped cream topping...
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Florian thread! (Score:5, Funny)
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might want to start by correcting the title:
Oracle didn't deny payments to the media, they acknowledged it. Google showed that they don't pay anyone. Florian is "media", even he's shitty/shoddy. The issue is he was paid/working on his contract with Oracle before the trial even started, so his PR damage/anti-google-ness is now legally acknowledged so hopefully nobody will quote that fraudulent shill anymore. This oracle trial acknowledges he is paid, not how far back payments started.
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and yet quizzically they are a big proponent of hosting software downloads (c/net downloads). Let hand, meet right hand.
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
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it was bloody obvious that Florian was a "paid for opinion" going back a few years
It wasn't obvious to me. I assumed that no company would be stupid enough to pay for someone to spout things as obviously wrong as Florian - that they'd want shills who could slip misinformation into otherwise-insightful posts. Apparently Oracle has very low standards for shills. On the one hand, I think it's great that shills are so blatant, on the other I wonder if there's a job opportunity if I ever get bored...
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I think it's an outgrowth of the entire PR industry. Instead of issuing press releases through prnewswire.com and others, you buy journalists and pundits to push what is essentially a press release, but under the guise of a third party endorsement.
It's a really cynical way to do things. But then DiDio, Lyin' Lyons, Endull, Bott, etc, all did it before Florian did.
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BMO
Internet media payola (Score:3)
It's all over the place. I see incidental "actor tweets X" or "actress a big fan of X" stories right around the time their movies are coming out. I remember seeing almost daily reports on Megan Fox about every inane detail of her life suddenly appearing in the media, until the promos for Jennifer's Body started showing up. And, the Kardashians are being shoved down our throats everyday. Not to mention the scores of failed celebs who are trying to use their fame/endorsement model.
dammit Google, you did it again! (Score:5, Funny)
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.
stupid Google, dont you know that as a corporation you are supposed to deny and impede any attempt to get information about what you've done and tie it up in court for years? just look at Oracle, they deny everything until the bitter end and fight tooth and nail to budge an inch on any information at all. i mean, volunteering information? for shame!
this "don't be evil" stuff is really getting in the way of becoming a well adjusted sociopathic corporation.
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.
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What sickens me most is that the BBC, a supposedly objective and publicly funded broadcaster still continues to quote him despite having been told for months by hundreds of people that the guy is unobjective and trustworthy.
It gives me the impression Oracle hasn't been too honest about this, it gives the impression someone at the BBC (and possibly other media outlets) are being paid off too. But if Oracle pays Florian, and Florian then uses some of those funds to pay off someone at the BBC I guess Oracle wo
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It's just lazy reporting. Plus the fact that the mainstream media still doesn't see these issues as global issues threatening freedom and innovation, but merely obscure technology issues. So it's not given the same rigorous attention as say the war in Syria.