Intellectual Property Rights suits have never known to generate the same level of interest as say a murder trial might. But when a suit involves the biggest companies in the world, it is safe to say that a larger number of readers might suddenly find themselves brushing up on their knowledge of all things tech related. Such is the power of Google or Oracle as the case maybe.

Google, the largest search engine in the world found itself on the defensive last week when Oracle one of the biggest business software development companies sued Google over alleged patent infringements regarding its Android mobile technology. Android is based on the Java software which is owned by Oracle. The Java software was developed by Sun Microsystems which was acquired by Oracle earlier this year.

On August 12, 2010, Oracle filed a complaint for patent and copyright infringement and a demand for a jury trial in a federal court in the Northern District of California. Oracle alleges that Google "knowingly, directly and repeatedly infringed Oracle's Java-related intellectual property" in developing Android. The suit consists of eight counts of patent and copyright infringement and asks for unspecified damages based on a jury trial.

Oracle is being represented by Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) with the firm's current co-chair on Intellectual Property, Michael Jacobs and Head of Litigation, Marc David Peters taking the lead. MoFo is also joined by Boies, Schiller & Flexner with their Managing Partner and well-known trial lawyer David Boies taking the lead. David is assited by Intellectual Property and Litigation Partner Steven Holtzman.

Oracle’s inhouse team was also active in drafting the petition against Google with General Counsel, Dorian Daley taking the lead along with Deborah Miller and Matthew Sarboraria.

The outcome of this case is being awaited with bated breath because the judgment will have far reaching effects in the IT world.

A copy of the petition is available for download here.