Google is a huge technology firm that is slipping its hand into any cookie jar it thinks may hold a profit. The company already rules the internet search and advertising market and is on track to rule the smartphone OS market as well.

Part of the success of Google's Android mobile operating system, which is growing faster than any other smartphone OS, is its open source nature. As a result, the software is offered for free to phone makers. Reuters reports that Oracle has sued Google over the Android operating system. The suit centers on alleged patent infringement by Google.

Oracle claims that Google infringed on patents and copyrights it holds relating to Java. Oracle purchased the rights to Java when it gobbled up Sun Microsystems for $5.6 billion in 2009. The suit was filed in federal court in California yesterday and the main claim in the suit is that Google knowingly and directly infringed on Oracle patents and copyright.

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who earlier this week condemned HP's board for firing personal friend Mark Hurd,  says that Java is a key asset for Oracle and that the software is used in all manner of products.

IP litigator Edward Reines told Reuters, "Sun's corporate philosophy was obviously very different from Oracle's in terms of enforcing the Java patents."

San Jose Mercury News cites Al Hilwa from research firm IDC saying, "At the end of the day, it [the suit] could mean a fair amount of money."  Hilwa points out that it is likely that Oracle and Google have been negotiating for months on licensing terms and the suit is a tactic by Oracle to press the issue.

Hilwa continued saying, "Java is essential for Android. Since Android has been out there for more than a year, most people would have expected they were in compliance with whatever license terms apply."