Deno vs Oracle: The ugly custody battle for JavaScript…

Overview

This episode dives into the surprising history of the JavaScript trademark, its current ownership by Oracle, and the legal battle spearheaded by Ryan Dahl (creator of Node.js and Deno) to release the trademark into the public domain. It explores the origins of JavaScript, the corporate entanglements that led to Oracle's control, and the ongoing legal fight to challenge this ownership.

Notable Quotes

- At this point, it feels so common that it's kind of like asking who owns water. But if we've learned anything from Nestle, it's that corporate greed has no limit.

- The trademark is a dark cloud looming over the world's most popular programming language. - Ryan Dahl, on why Oracle should release the JavaScript trademark.

- If we have any Oracle Jet users in the room, please raise your hand.

💻 The Origins of JavaScript

- JavaScript was created in 1995 by Brendan Eich at Netscape in just 10 days. Initially called Mocha, it was later renamed LiveScript and finally JavaScript as a marketing ploy to capitalize on the popularity of Java.

- The language combined elements of Scheme, Smalltalk, and Java, but its name gave Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle) the legal grounds to trademark it.

- The official language specification is called ECMAScript to avoid trademark issues.

⚖️ Oracle’s Control Over the Trademark

- Oracle inherited the JavaScript trademark after acquiring Sun Microsystems in 2010. Despite owning the trademark, Oracle has little involvement in the JavaScript ecosystem.

- The trademark has led to restrictions, such as the absence of official JavaScript conferences or newsletters.

- Oracle has been accused of using questionable evidence, like No.js (a project unrelated to Oracle), to renew the trademark in 2019.

🛡️ Ryan Dahl’s Legal Battle

- In 2022, Ryan Dahl wrote an open letter urging Oracle to release the trademark, arguing it would benefit the global developer community.

- After being ignored, he launched JavaScript.tm and filed a legal petition in 2024 to cancel the trademark, citing abandonment and fraud.

- Oracle has denied these claims, arguing that JavaScript is not a generic term and that their trademark renewal was valid.

🔮 What’s Next in the Legal Fight?

- The case is now in the discovery phase, with both sides gathering evidence. A final decision is expected by January 2027.

- Regardless of the outcome, the battle highlights the tension between corporate control and community-driven development in the tech world.