Felipe Gaucho's Blog

Community: JDK Archives

Are you prepared to choose the next JDK license?

A lot of excitement these days about the SUN plan of releasing part of the Java Technology as Open Source Software (OSS) for the next few months. Reading the news I've observed the key discussion for now is about the license to be adopted by SUN to release its technologies. It is not a simple decision and, besides the public discussion about the best licenses, there is SUN needs to protect its commercial interests and the relationship with its partners and clients.

After several years participating of both communities - Java and OSS - I have a feeling that Java developers are not much worried about the JDK license because we have ever used Java without any restrictions anyway - even the code was always available for reading and learning. On the other side, the Open Source community members are serious thinkers about what is a license and what is its impact in the software industry, specially in the Linux world.

Who knows what is the best license for new OSS projects?

The answer for this complex question could be: ask the leaders of the OSS movement. Who? There is no one name, but the crowd becomes more calm with the endorsment of persons like Richard Stallman, Eben Moglen, David Turner and others. These proeminent researchers and founders of the Open Source movement don't have all the answers, but at least they can give a special cue about the good choice to the new JKD license. It is not a technical requirement, of course SUN can take decisions without any external interference, but it is a confluence decision. Any independent decision taken by SUN will be hard received with a lot of criticism and fear from the open source community because they have a historical dissatisfaction against current Java licenses.

I don't know how SUN is internally dealing with this question about licenses, I believe in the company and I am sure people are doing the best for the future of Java anyway. If I may put my two cents in, I suggest the idea of including the leaders of the Open Source world close to the discussions - for the good of everyone.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.