Sun Recasts Java Licensing for GNU/Linux and OpenSolaris Communities
> SAN FRANCISCO, JAVAONE CONFERENCE, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), the creator and leading advocate of Java™ technology, today announced that Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) 5 is now available for redistribution by GNU/Linux and OpenSolaris(SM) operating system distributors under the new Operating System Distributor’s License for Java (also known as the “Distro License for Java” or DLJ).
About time! Getting and keeping Java current has been a major hassle every time I reinstall a system. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to manually download the j2sdk, make a package and install it. It’ll be interesting to see where Java ends up with the promise from Sun to open up more and more of the platform. Oh, it’s already in Dapper Multiverse.
On reading the DLJ, it appears more than anything, an attempt by sun to stall a free software implementation of Java.
From the DLJ:
© you do not combine, configure or distribute
the Software to run in conjunction with any additional software
that implements the same or similar functionality or APIs as the
Software;
The GNU/Linux system exists to give users freedom. IMO, this DLJ exists to undermine this in exchange for short-term convenience.
Read it at:http://download.java.net/dlj/DLJ-v1.1.txt
May 18, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
I like having the option of multiple implementations, but I’d hate to see compatibility problems. I really like the fact that things work as advertised, instead of having to run a specific jdk with a specific piece of software.
At least it’s better than it was. I’m sure distributions will switch to totally open and free implementations when (if?) they become stable and production quality.
May 18, 2006 @ 9:28 pm
I hope SUNs new license will not suffocate the nearly complete GNU classpath project, or the efforts by the Debian and Ubuntu package contributors integrating OpenOffice with GNU Classpath.
My concern is that SUN is taking away the itch for many people, when we are so close to completing a free software implementation of Java.
My concern is heightened by the press release claiming support by the Ubuntu and Debian community where I could not find any prior discussion about the license within the community. It looks like the community is being told what it thinks.
I would certainly like to see SUNs Java implementation released as free software. SUNs recent announcement is certainly not the much-hoped for release of Java as free software.
For me, this adds pressure and imperative to help get classpath finished.
I understand SUN’s desire to keep a reference platform and java implementations to be 100% compatible. This is an important value of Java- write once run anywhere. This can easily be achieved by releasing Java under GPL then only licensing the name ‘Java’ to those versions which have passed SUNs compatability tests.
The DLJ license really seems haunted by SUNs spat with Microsoft a few years ago.
May 18, 2006 @ 11:28 pm
I’m pretty sure both Ubuntu and Debian will continue their work on getting OpenOffice to run on GNU Classpath, as they both prefer 100% free alternatives when there is one available.
As far as I have been able to understand of what I’ve read about this whole thing, Sun is planning on making Java more Open Source and free, but they need to figure out a way to ensure 100% compatibility, which they haven’t done yet.
With more and more software running on GNU Classpath and free JVMs, I’m sure Sun feels a bit preassured to do something with Java or they’ll end up losing whatever control they have at the moment.
May 19, 2006 @ 1:11 pm