PhreakNIC 19 - Fear the Legal Platypus: Oracle v. Google  - Rick Sanders
Channel: phreaknicstaff
Date: 2015-12-21

Software is the platypus of the legal world: a beast that would be fantastical if you hadn't seen it for yourself. It's part copyright, part patent, part trade secret. The result is an ungainly patchwork of protection (and, hence, restrictions) that covers some aspects too well, others not at all, and generally just seems ill-suited for the creative functionality of software. Messy areas of the law also tend to be the most expensive, so courts don't often have to wade too deeply into the protection of software. But when Oracle sued Google over the use of Java APIs in the Android operating system, we had two well-heeled and highly motivated parties willing to fight for the soul of something that a lot of people cared around. In this talk, I'll explain what really went down in Oracle v. Google, dispelling several myths along the way; speculate about what it means for the protection of (and restrictions on) software; and wonder aloud about how the law could do a better job dealing with software.

The legal problems and challenges presented by software, hardware, e-commerce, social media and the Internet have long engaged Aaron | Sanders founder Rick Sanders' interest. Rick's first two cases of his career in Silicon Valley in 2001 involved the business and technology of making music available over the Internet. Rick was hooked on intellectual property ("IP") and especially the Internet.

He graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2000 into the midst of the "dot-com" boom and bust. His practice started with a well-known Silicon Valley law firm in 2000, and his first two cases involved downloading music over the Internet. Since then, he has handled matters involving VOIP telephony, encryption software, online bidding systems and a certain hit song.

As you might expect, Rick writes and speaks frequently about intellectual-property, internet and free-expression issues. A list of his more significant articles and speaking engagements may be found in his curriculum vitae.

PhreakNIC is a technology conference held annually in Middle Tennessee. PhreakNIC started as an infosec hacker convention but has expanded over the years to include the maker scene, ham radio, DIY engineering, space and science nerds, the skeptics community, electronic and experimental music, gamers, anime, and general geekery.