Is the Open Net about to implode

I Just read Christopher Dawson's article on zdnet

"Oracle sues Google: Looking for a piece of the mobile pie"

As i said in my first Hub - Its interesting times!

We criticized Apple for not being open and we heard Steve Jobs say that he was going htlm all the way. Did he guess Oracle was going to pull the rug from under the Java based interfaces developed by Google for Android.

Java is the hole grail of "Open Source" programming languages for all platforms, operating systems and browsers. On the Internet is occupies a special place with programmers but this suit casts doubt on the openness of open source.

The issue is a bit complicated; some say Oracle is attaching Google for coping Java. Google is actually using Java or some parts of it in some form, so the suit may not be about using Jana at all. But as Dana Blankenhorn of ZD says "The points that are at issue in this suit are generic and not limited to the Google Android implementation of Java in Dalvik".That means a whole pile of Java implementation can be at risk.

Interesting times indeed!

Why did Google reinvent parts of java, Why did Apple avoid it and exempt flash from its iPhone apps platform. Why all this interest now?

The answer is that the stakes are exceptionally high.

The SmartPhone mobile market is going to be the most prevailing form of computing and everyone is trying to cut a space for themselves.

The whole idea of Open is just plain scary to many. Those who want to mantain individuality and uniqueness don't want it and will do what they can to solidify their nitch with propriety products and ideas. And those who's intellectual property is being used is any way will toss out the idea of openness to pursue closure!

I lament for the good old days just a few moments ago when we all rejoiced in open source and systems that worked together for the good of everyone. The invisible hand that guided that market has been pushed back in its pockets!

Interesting times are ahead. Lets hope greed does not turn it on its head. See also our related Hub on Apple in Travel