java version "1.3.1"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.3.1-b24)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.3.1-b24, mixed mode)

Clipboard.getContents() may throw an IllegalStateException (as described in bug
4464162, "java.lang.IllegalStateException: cannot open system clipboard"). The
documentation for getContents() should mention this fact. Otherwise, developers
may not find out about it, until a customer trips over it.
(Review ID: 127037) 
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N/A

On Win32 platforms the system clipboard can be accessed only by one application at the time.  While another application is accessing the system clipboard, Clipboard.setContents() and Clipboard.getContents() fail.  To signal the failure these two methods throw IllegalStateException.  This exception is not documented.  The suggested change is to document this exception in the specification for setContents() and getContents().  Otherwise, Java developers may not find out about it, until a customer trips over it.
  xxxxx@xxxxx  
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Also see bug 4511991 for other changes to table handling in 
JDK V1.3.1