java:licensing [JM Knowledge Base]

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====== Java Platform Licensing ======

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  - Java Platform comprises of Java Runtime Environment (JRE), class libraries and development tools (compiler & debugger). Collectively these are called Java Development Kit (JDK). Since 2007, Sun Microsystems released JDK as open source under GNU General Public License, hence the name "OpenJDK".
  - Oracle took stewardship of OpenJDK after they acquired Sun in 2010. They continue to develop Java as open source.This version of OpenJDK is referred as "upstream".
  - Oracle is a software company with a lot of product portfolio which all of them running on Java platform. To enhance the performance and stability of their ERP product lines, they created minor function/feature/add-on in OpenJDK, which are not incorporated in the original OpenJDK. They have created their own version called "Oracle JDK", which is a derivative/downstream release from the original.
  - The changes in Oracle License Agreement which is not free anymore for commercial use is actually apply to Oracle JDK, not to the OpenJDK. 
  - Some other big companies also have their own derivative of OpenJDK, especially to support their software products. For example : SAP, IBM, Red Hat, Amazon Web Service, etc. Each of them have their own kind of licensing.