In a rational world and under a reasonable patent system, I might agree. But you know as well as I do, Simon, probably better, that under the current process it's difficult to guarantee that you're not violating anyone's patents. Particularly when you're reimplementing an existing system.

Is it possible that Oracle's patents don't read on Dalvik? Certainly. Did Google take care to minimize the risk of such? I'm sure they did.

But however careful the execution, the system at present is would be actively working against them.