As almost any causal bystander could have predicted, Oracle and Google couldn't come to terms after a Pollyanna magistrate judge ordered them to try to settle their differences over Java and Android one more time last week ahead of a jury trial starting April 16.

It's just a good thing there have been no reports of Oracle co-president Safra Katz picking her teeth with the bones of Android chief Andy Rubin, both of whom were told to show up for the negotiations and presumably did.

The judge sent out word Monday that "Despite their diligent efforts and those of their able counsel, the parties have reached an irreconcilable impasse in their settlement discussions" and that "no further conferences shall be convened."

He wished them luck and said this was an example of a case that just needed to go to trial.

Oracle's case has been largely reduced to claims of trademark infringement after its patent claims were whittled down.

Google offered Oracle a pittance for patent infringement last week should the two remaining patents prove valid.

Court-ordered and mediated negotiations failed last year too.

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