Oracle Will Charge for Java Starting in 2019

Oracle has announced that, effective January 2019, Java SE 8 public updates will no longer be available for "Business, Commercial or Production use" without a commercial license.

Update as of Feb. 27th, 2020: Oracle is currently posting paid updates for JDK 8, 11, and 13 on their public site that are available for commercial use. But it’s important for Oracle Java users to be careful about what they install and use to avoid non-compliance risks.

This article was previously updated on Nov. 13th, 2018: Oracle has now replaced its initial message with a new one, which changes how Oracle Java SE 8 customers can access product support, and bug/security fixes, starting in January 2019.

Want to dig deeper? This newer article, How to Prep for New Updates to Oracle Java SE 8 Licensing, explains exactly how Oracle Java SE 8 customers can access product support and bug/security fixes, starting in January 2019.

What’s new?

Oracle has announced that, effective January 2019, Java SE 8 public updates will no longer be available for "Business, Commercial or Production use" without a commercial license.

Is Oracle Java still free?

The current version of Java - Java SE 9 as well as Java SE 8 - is free and available for redistribution for general purpose computing. Java SE continues to be available under the Oracle Binary Code License (BCL) free of charge.

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) use for embedded devices or use of commercial features may require a license fee from Oracle. Read more about embedded use of Java SE, or contact your local Oracle sales representative to obtain a license.

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The Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) and Oracle Java SE Advanced and Suite products are currently shipping from Oracle in the form of the Java Development Kit (JDK), and Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The current releases of the software and links to older versions are available from the Java SE download page.

Oracle is currently posting paid updates for JDK 8, 11, and 13 on their public site that are available for commercial use. You just click onf a box to say that you’ve read the contract and understand the new restrictions. It’s important for Oracle Java users to be careful about what they install and use.

What are the Oracle Java licensing changes?

Due to the Oracle Java license cost changes, companies will need to collect and identify every application that is running Java SE 8 before the beginning of 2019. Doing so will ensure an accurate forecast of costs and potential non-compliance risk for future software audits in upcoming years.

What about the Java license costs?

The Oracle Technology Global Price List as of May 1, 2018 provides information about current pricing (in dollars):

*Note: A: The Named User Plus minimum for this program is 2,000 NUP licenses. B: The Named User Plus minimum for this program is 10 NUP per Processor.

What should you do now?

In light of Oracle’s recent announcement, companies should begin considering:

• How to anticipate the situation?
• How many Java installations do we have, where and why?
• Are there usages embedded?
• Can we replace Java with another technology?
• What will the cost be in January 2019?

Oracle suggests running a tool to find Java installations using a Java package called Java Usage Tracker. This will report information like:

• The Java versions
• Application name
• Type (applet, command line, etc).
• Location and more

However, the Oracle Java Usage Tracker requires a commercial license – even though it’s included in the installer that comes with the free components.

The safest way to avoid the risk of unexpected software costs is to use an automated Software Asset Management solution. A SAM tool is able to detect, collect, measure, and provide your compliance position.

Oracle license optimization

Specialized technologies like Oracle Optimization from USU is already built to take the surprise out of Oracle contracts and maintenance costs, and ensure that you pay the lowest price for Oracle licensing.

Oracle Optimization uses Oracle-verified data so you can be fully confident about the results. Get a clear view of your Oracle usage to make informed contract decisions and lower your maintenance costs.