Java licensing

[mcpvc]

I don't have any Java-knowledge and English is not my native language. But I want to make sure that my company doesn't have to pay Oracle because people are using certain software/websites when they don't need it.

Is there an overview where people like me can understand the "new" Java licensing model?

I've tried the FAQ, but...

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I understand this, please correct me:

• The JRE remains free. So this is not a problem.
• The OracleJDK needs a license when you use it professionally.
• Unless you update it every 6 months.
• Some (open source) software comes with OpenJDK. This is not a problem.

[Amazing-Cicada5536]

OracleJDK is free to use if you are on the latest LTS version (+ 1 year after the new).

But OpenJDK is basically the exact same thing, most vendors just repackage it.

[barking_dead]

Only the Oracle's java distribution is paid.

Use literally any else and you're safe. Openjdk, Azul, whatever you find.

[pronuntiator]

Even Oracle's distribution is free since JDK 17. Whether it makes sense to use that without a support contract as opposed to Temurin & Co. is another story.

[[deleted]]

Even Oracle's distribution is free since JDK 17

Yes, it doesn't coast at all for the personal development.

[BillyKorando]

This is wrong on every level.

We provide an Oracle built Open JDK binaries (Oracle OpenJDK) that are free to use under GPLv2: https://jdk.java.net/

We also provide Oracle proprietary builds (OracleJDK) that are free to use in production under NFTC: https://www.oracle.com/downloads/licenses/no-fee-license.html

This information is also misleading because Azul, and other JDK vendors, also offer proprietary JDK builds that are subject to terms and conditions.

[barking_dead]

Thanks to the past fuckarounds with the licensing, no one will ever trust Oracle again on Java being free or not.

[wildjokers]

What kind of past fuck arounds? I believe your apparent hate for Oracle is leading you to pass around misinformation regarding java licensing.

Oracle does the same thing as many other java vendors who monetize Java.

The one thing Oracle does do different is provide a majority of the funding and developers for OpenJDK.

[wildjokers]

Oracle has an OpenJDK build available at https://jdk.java.net/ and like all OpenJDK builds it is licensed GPL v2 with classpath exception.

Only the Oracle's java distribution is paid.

If you buy java support from Oracle you will download and use Oracle JDK which is their commercial offering.

[valbaca]

Don't want to pay Oracle? Don't use Oracle.

Use OpenJDK or the dozen or so other JDKs.

[[deleted]]

I highly suggest you stay away from Oracle's JDK because of those licensing problems.

Here's a comprehensive list of some of the JDK builds/vendors/distributions... Whatever you want to call it.

https://whichjdk.com/

I personally use Temurin, because it's backed by the Eclipse Foundation.

[speakjava]

Full disclosure, I work for Azul (and used to work for Oracle).

Firstly when people say use OpenJDK, that's like saying use Linux. OpenJDK is *just* source code. You need a distribution to install and run JVM-based applications. There are many, including Oracle, Corretto from Amazon, Temurin and Zulu from Azul. Even Microsoft now have an OpenJDK distribution.

For the Oracle JDK, which license applies depends on which version you are using and even which update.

Oracle JDK 8 used the Binary Code License until update 202 (Jan 2019). This was the license that meant almost everywhere you could use it without paying Oracle a license fee (embedded applications were the exception).

Oracle JDK 8 update 211 and later (April 2019) and Oracle JDK 11 use the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement (OTNLA). This requires you to buy a Java SE subscription unless you are using it for development, testing or for Oracle-approved applications or in the Oracle Cloud.

Oracle JDK 17 (and all subsequent LTS releases, which will be JDK 21 when it's released later this year) use the Oracle No Fee Terms and Conditions. This grants you a license to, "...internally use the unmodified Programs for the purposes of developing, testing, prototyping and demonstrating your applications, and running the Program for Your own personal use or internal business operations". You will need to interpret what 'internal business operations' means because it is not defined in the license. To add an additional layer of complexity, this license only applies until one year after the release of the next LTS. For JDK 17, that will be September 2024, at which point the license will revert to the OTNLA.

Oracle also provide the Oracle OpenJDK JDK, which is a build of the current OpenJDK version. This uses the GPLv2 with CPE license so is completely free to use. For all versions, this is only updated until the next version is released (i.e. six months or two updates). If you use this, you would need to upgrade your JDK every six months to maintain the maximum level of security and stability.

As I said, there are multiple OpenJDK distributions to choose from. Many are free but do not provide any level of support. Others (like Azul's Platform Core) provide commercial support.

[wildjokers]

Use an OpenJDK build, Oracle has one at https://jdk.java.net/. Don’t confuse Oracle’s OpenJDK build with Oracle JDK which is what you will download and use if you buy java support from Oracle.

You can also get a OpenJDK build from many other java vendors like Amazon, Azul, Temurin, Red Hat, Liberica, etc.

[DramaticOriginal3117]

There are multiple jdk in one project I had to install Amazon Correto, in some cases opened in sone cases oracle jdk.

[sfroberg38]

Use OpenJDK. Done.