Creating something like a VM or a compiler that produces reliable and fast-enough Javascript from bytecode is hard work, and there is no evidence that it can be done. Microsoft tried something similar with Volta (project discontinued) and when I tried it the results where awful, although it was cool that you could compile CLR bytecode to Javascript: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Live_Labs_Volta
On the other hand creating something less than Java SE would break compatibility and it would not be covered by the patents grant, not to mention difficulties in calling the thing "Java".
On the other hand creating something less than Java SE would break compatibility and it would not be covered by the patents grant, not to mention difficulties in calling the thing "Java".
Oh wait ...