Oracle Java Part 1: Understanding the licensing

Oracle’s Java is one of the most widely used pieces of software in the world. Oracle makes it really easy for users to download it, no doubt helping to maintain its proliferation in the marketplace. And it’s free!

Unfortunately, modern distributions are no longer free for commercial users, and it seems as if Oracle has gone out of its way to make it as difficult as possible to understand a company’s obligations for licensing costs that many are left unaware when Oracle comes knocking for payment. It’s a matter of when, not if.

Fortunately, this multi-part series is here to help IT professionals navigate Oracle’s licensing scheme and avoid a potential audit.

Part 2: Detecting with Intune.
Part 3: Removing with Intune.

The above image from Manu Cornet perfectly illustrates how I felt after finally getting a grasp on this topic. Almost as their business model was complicating licensing models to get the most income. So what’s up with Oracle’s licensing? Let’s take a look!

NOTE: If you go to the download pages directly on Oracle, you can see what licensing applies to what version. On Oracle’s site, it is commonly referred to OBL, OTN, and NFTC.

What you first need to know!

Bundled Installs – Oracle’s Java is often bundled with other software. If that is the case, the licensing for that instance is the responsibility of the associate software vendor.

Standalone versions – This is what your business is responsible for when it comes to licensing. These have been installed by the user (typically with admin creds) and are also found in the uninstall registry.

One means all – Oracle does not offer per-user licensing. This means that even if only one user needs a licensed version, you have to purchase licenses for every user in your company. As you can imagine, that can easily be a yearly expense in the 6 to 7 figures.

Oracle Binary Code License Agreement for Java SE and JavaFX Technologies (OBL)

OBL licensing is free for any commercial use. This applies for all versions up to Java 4, as well as certain versions of Java 5 through 8. If you go to the archive download pages for each (ex. Java 5), you can see which license it falls under.

Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE (OTN)

OTN licensing is free for personal use but not free for commercial use. This applies to LTS updates of 5 through 8 (8u211 and greater), all versions of 11-16, and LTS present and future versions of 17+.

Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)

The NFTC licensing model was Oracle’s attempt to embrace a open-source model and it used largely on their newer versions. This licensing is free for any commercial use.

This one is particularly tricky because the goal posts are always moving on this. A version is NFTC untilthere is a LTS, or “long-term support,” update. At that point, all subsequent updates to that version fall under the OTN model. Basically, if it is an LTS version, it isn’t free to use.

Wrapping it up

Clear as mud? I’d imagine so. I suspect it is complicated by design, so knowing what to look for is a big help. Let’s break it down — anything greater than (but not including) the versions below require a license, if not part of a bundled install:

• 5.0.220
• 6.0.25
• 7.0.8
• 8.0.2020
• All versions of 9 and 10 were under “Oracle Binary Code License” and are free to use
• All versions of 11-16 under OTN and not free to use
• All versions for 17 and newer are under NFTC and free to use until there is an LTS update
  • 17.0.12 is the last free version as of Sept 2024.

I hope that helps clear things up! If you have any questions (or any suggestions for improvement), please let me know in the comments.