Google defeats $9bn claim over use of Java software for Android

Google’s Android software has just dodged a $9bn bullet.

A US jury found that Google did not need permission to use a rival’s programming tools as it built Android, which is now the world’s leading smartphone operating software, and a key part of Google’s multi-billion dollar Internet business.

Tech firm Oracle had claimed Google stole its intellectual property and reaped huge profits by copying pieces of its Java programming language.