Oracle Java Commercial Features: What CIOs Need to Know

Oracle Java Commercial Features

Introduction

Oracle’s Java is embedded in countless enterprise systems, but recent changes in Java licensing and features have made it a strategic concern for CIOs. Senior IT leaders must navigate Oracle’s commercial Java offerings – not just for their technical merits but also for cost, licensing, and compliance implications.

This article provides an independent, advisory overview of Oracle Java’s commercial features and licensing models. It will help you understand which features are exclusive to Oracle’s paid Java versions, how Oracle’s licensing has evolved (from legacy products to the current subscription model), and the financial and operational impacts.

We also discuss the risks of non-compliance, including audit exposure, and the considerations of switching from Oracle Java to OpenJDK or other free open-source distributions. The goal is to equip CIOs and IT decision-makers with practical insights and guidance to manage Java usage strategically.

Oracle’s Commercial Java Features at a Glance

Oracle’s commercial Java features are specialized tools and capabilities available only with a paid Oracle Java license.

These features are designed for large-scale and mission-critical deployments, offering advanced monitoring, management, and performance tuning benefits beyond standard Java functionality.

However, using them in production requires commercial licensing.

Below is an overview of key features that historically fell under Oracle’s commercial Java offerings:

• Java Flight Recorder (JFR): A low-overhead profiling and diagnostics tool built into the JVM. JFR continuously records runtime information (threads, memory, CPU, etc.) with minimal impact on performance. It acts like a “flight data recorder” for Java applications, allowing engineers to go back in time to analyze performance issues or crashes. Use case: diagnosing intermittent production performance problems without adding significant overhead. Note: In Oracle Java 8, JFR was a commercial feature that required a license. In newer Java versions (11 and later), JFR has been open-sourced in OpenJDK, but enterprise support is still available through Oracle’s subscription.
• Java Mission Control (JMC): A graphical tool suite for analyzing data from JFR and monitoring running Java applications. JMC provides dashboards and detailed insights into JVM behavior, including CPU profiles, garbage collection logs, and other metrics, helping teams fine-tune their application’s performance and stability. Use case: continuous monitoring of critical Java services (e.g., core banking systems) to catch memory leaks or optimize garbage collection. JMC was once proprietary to Oracle’s JDK, but an open-source version now exists as a separate project. Oracle’s commercial licensing covers official support for JMC usage.
• Advanced Management Console (AMC): A centralized management console for Java across the enterprise. AMC lets administrators inventory all Java installations on employee desktops and servers, track which versions are in use, and control Java runtime settings or deployments from a single interface. It includes an enterprise MSI installer for standardized Java installations and can enforce policies, such as disabling old, vulnerable Java versions company-wide. Use case: large organizations needing to manage Java on thousands of endpoints, ensuring compliance and timely updates. AMC is only available with Oracle’s Java SE Advanced/Subscription licenses.
• Usage Tracking: Oracle’s JRE includes a usage tracking feature that logs details about Java application usage on a system, such as which JARs are run. This helps in understanding where Java is used in your organization (useful for compliance or optimization), but it’s a commercial feature under Oracle’s license. Use case: an enterprise enabling JRE usage tracking to detect legacy Java applications running in the environment, and thereby decide which can be updated or removed.
• Others (Legacy Tools): In the era of Oracle’s Java SE Suite (now legacy), additional features like JRockit Mission Control and JRockit Flight Recorder (from Oracle’s older JRockit JVM) and Deterministic GC for real-time systems were included. These catered to specialized use cases, such as ultra-low latency requirements in trading systems, and also required commercial licenses.

Why do these features matter? For businesses running high-stakes Java applications, tools like JFR and JMC can significantly reduce troubleshooting time and optimize performance. AMC can also lower administrative overhead and improve security by standardizing Java environments.

However, Oracle treats these as premium capabilities – if you use them without a proper license, you are not in compliance and risk penalties. CIOs should weigh the value of these features against their cost and explore whether open-source alternatives or newer versions of OpenJDK provide similar functionality.

Legacy Java SE Products vs. Java SE Subscription

Oracle’s approach to Java licensing has evolved significantly over the past decade. Understanding the legacy Java SE commercial products versus today’s subscription model is key for decision-makers:

• Legacy Oracle Java SE Products: In the past, Oracle offered Java SE Advanced, Java SE Advanced Desktop, and Java SE Suite as premium licensed versions of Java. These were essentially the vehicles for accessing commercial features and support. For example, Java SE Advanced (for servers) and Advanced Desktop (for PCs) include JFR, JMC, AMC, and other management tools. Java SE Suite included everything in Advanced, plus the real-time JVM features (from JRockit). These products were licensed either per processor (for servers) or per named user (for desktops), similar to other enterprise software. Organizations would purchase a specific number of licenses to cover the machines or users that needed these Java capabilities.
• Java SE Subscription (2018–2022): In 2018, Oracle introduced the Java SE Subscription model, transitioning from one-time perpetual licenses to a subscription-based model with renewable support. The Java SE Subscription essentially bundles all the above “Advanced” features and support into a single offering. Under this model, pricing was based on a monthly fee per desktop user or server processor. For instance, an organization might pay around $2.50 per month for each named end-user (for client desktops) and $25 per month for each processor running Java on the server. This subscription gave the company rights to use the latest Java versions, receive security updates, and legally enable the commercial features on those covered machines. The Java SE Subscription replaced the need to buy Java SE Advanced or Advanced Desktop separately – it was more flexible, allowing customers to stay up to date as Java evolved, as long as they continued to pay the subscription.
• Java SE Universal Subscription (2023–Present): In January 2023, Oracle made another major change, switching to an employee-based licensing model called the Java SE Universal Subscription. This model replaced both the old Java SE Subscription and Java SE Desktop Subscription. The key difference is how the cost is measured: instead of counting specific Java users or processors, Oracle now requires licensing for all employees in the organization. Every full-time, part-time, temporary employee, and contractor in your company counts toward the total, regardless of whether they use Java. In essence, Oracle shifted Java to an enterprise-wide license metric. The rationale given was to simplify licensing and provide an “unlimited” deployment model – you can use Oracle Java on any number of servers and clients. Still, you pay according to your total employee count.

Why the change? For Oracle, this change simplifies license tracking (they just need to know your headcount) and potentially increases revenue, as many companies will end up paying for far more “Java seats” than they use.

For customers, however, this can mean a substantial cost increase, especially if Java is only used by a subset of systems. It turns Java into a type of enterprise license agreement that covers everyone.

Pricing Models and Real-World Examples

Understanding the pricing under the current Oracle Java SE Universal Subscription is crucial for budgeting and decision-making. Total employee count tiers Oracle’s official price list for the Universal Subscription:

• 1 to 999 employees: $15 per employee per month
• 1,000 to 2,999 employees: $12 per employee per month
• 3,000 to 9,999 employees: $10.50 per employee per month
• 10,000 to 19,999 employees: $8.25 per employee per month
• 20,000 to 29,999 employees: $6.75 per employee per month
• 30,000 to 39,999 employees: $5.70 per employee per month
• 40,000 to 49,999 employees: $5.25 per employee per month
• 50,000+ employees: Contact Oracle for pricing. Typically, additional volume discounts apply beyond this scale.

These costs are paid monthly for each employee. The subscription grants the right to use Oracle Java on any number of devices (desktops, servers, VMs, or cloud instances) across the company, as well as access to updates and support.

To illustrate the financial impact, consider two example scenarios comparing the old subscription model to the new Universal model:

In the first scenario, a company with a small development team using Java would see a significant increase in cost because the new model doesn’t differentiate between 20 people using Java and 250 employees – it bills for all 250 employees.

In the second scenario, even a company that uses Java pervasively sees its costs roughly double. For larger enterprises with thousands of employees, the absolute costs can be very high. (Oracle’s example: a company of 28,000 employees would pay about $2.27 million per year under the new scheme.)

It’s worth noting that under the legacy model, organizations with very limited Java usage could contain their costs by only licensing the servers or users that needed Java. The new model removes that flexibility in exchange for a simpler, all-encompassing license. Analysts estimate that many companies will end up paying 2 to 5 times more for Java with this change than they did before.

For CIOs, this pricing shift means Java is no longer a trivial line item. It demands careful consideration: you must either budget for the Universal Subscription as a significant ongoing expense or find ways to reduce or avoid that cost, such as migrating to an alternative Java distribution (discussed later).

Licensing Requirements and Common Misunderstandings

Java’s licensing landscape has become complex, and many IT leaders are understandably confused about what is and isn’t allowed.

Here we clarify the key requirements of Oracle Java licensing and dispel some common misunderstandings:

• Using Oracle JDK in Production Requires a License (Post-2019): Oracle Java (including the Oracle JDK and JRE) is no longer free for general commercial use, except for certain versions. Up through Java 8 Update 202 (and earlier), you could use those builds internally at no cost. But Oracle stopped providing free public updates for Java 8 in January 2019. From that point on, any commercial use of newer Oracle Java versions or updates required a paid subscription or license. This catches many teams by surprise – for example, if you installed Java 8 update 271 (released after 2019) on a server without a subscription, you are technically out of compliance. Misunderstanding: “We thought Java is free since we can download it.” Reality: Oracle changed the terms; downloading is free for development and testing, but production use requires a license (unless you stick to very old builds, which is risky).
• Oracle’s “No-Fee” Java Terms Don’t Equal Unlimited Free Use: Oracle introduced a No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) license starting with Java 17 (LTS released in 2021). This made Oracle’s JDK free to use, including in production, for that specific version, as long as you update to the next version promptly. The intent was to let users run the latest Java versions (17, then 21, etc.) without a fee until the next Long-Term Support (LTS) release came out. However, these terms have a catch: once a new Java version is out and a grace period passes, you won’t get further free updates on the old LTS. For example, Java 17 under NFTC received free updates until around late 2024 (one year after Java 21’s release); beyond that, you must either upgrade to Java 21 or pay for extended support. Misunderstanding: “Oracle JDK 17 and 21 are free, so we don’t need a subscription.” Reality: The no-fee license is only a temporary solution – enterprises that can’t constantly upgrade will need a subscription or another plan for long-term support.
• Enabling Commercial Features Triggers License Needs: Even on older “free” Java versions, using certain features activates a license requirement. For instance, Java Flight Recorder and Mission Control in Java 8 were considered commercial features. If your engineers enabled JFR on a Java 8 JVM in production to troubleshoot an issue, that JVM technically required a Java SE Advanced license. Similarly, using the MSI Enterprise Installer or the Advanced Management Console always requires a license. Misunderstanding: “We stayed on Java 8 to avoid new licenses so that we can use these tools freely.” Reality: If you use any of the restricted features (which are part of the download but locked behind licensing), you need to have the appropriate Oracle license, even for Java 6, 7, or 8. The version doesn’t matter; it’s the feature usage that counts.
• Mixing Oracle JDK and OpenJDK: Some organizations mix environments – for example, using free OpenJDK builds for some applications and Oracle JDK for others. This is allowed, but be cautious: any instance running Oracle’s JDK (or using Oracle’s Java installer) is subject to Oracle’s licensing. There’s no issue using OpenJDK (which is under an open-source license) on other systems. Just ensure that Oracle’s JDK isn’t inadvertently copied or auto-installed as a dependency on systems you thought were “free.” Misunderstanding: “If we use OpenJDK on Linux but Oracle JDK on Windows, we’re fully covered by our one subscription.” Reality: Oracle’s subscription terms usually require licenses for any system running Oracle Java. Suppose you truly segregate and use OpenJDK on some machines, without any Oracle bits. In that case, those machines don’t need Oracle licenses, but you must manage this carefully and maintain documentation to prove it in case of an audit.
• License Metric Confusion – Named User Plus vs. Employee: If you negotiated a Java SE Subscription before 2023, you might have licensed a certain count of Named User Plus (NUP) or processors. With the new employee-based model, Oracle’s default stance is that at renewal, you should transition to the employee metric. This has led to confusion and friction in negotiations. Some companies have multi-year deals for a set number of NUPs or processors that are still in effect. Oracle has indicated that these can continue for the term of the agreement, but new purchases are under the employee model. Misunderstanding: “We have 100 Java named-user licenses from before – that should cover us indefinitely.” Reality: Those legacy terms might not cover new versions or updates beyond your agreement period. Be prepared that at contract renewal, Oracle will likely push you to the newer model.

In summary, CIOs should educate their teams on these nuances. Don’t assume Java is free because it used to be, or because a certain version download page says “no fee.” Always check the fine print of Oracle’s licensing for the version you are using.

When in doubt, consult with Oracle or a licensing specialist to clarify whether your current Java usage is compliant. Misunderstandings in this area can be costly.

Risks of Audits and Non-Compliance

Oracle is notoriously aggressive in auditing its customers, and Java is no exception. Since monetizing Java through subscriptions, Oracle has increased its compliance checks. CIOs need to be aware of the risks associated with non-compliance in Java licensing:

• Audit Likelihood: Oracle’s License Management Services (LMS) or Java sales teams may initiate an audit or a “license review” if they suspect unlicensed Java usage. Triggers can include downloading of Oracle JDK updates without a corresponding subscription, or simply Oracle’s broader push to ensure everyone using Java commercially is paying. The new employee-based model, being a big revenue opportunity, has only heightened Oracle’s vigilance. Many organizations have reported outreach from Oracle representatives specifically about Java licensing compliance.
• Scope of Audits: In a Java audit, Oracle will typically request a detailed inventory of all Java installations within your organization, including every server, virtual machine, desktop, and even CI/CD pipeline where Java is installed. They will want to know versions, update levels, and whether any commercial features have been used. This can be a daunting task for a large enterprise if you haven’t been tracking Java deployments. Tools like the Advanced Management Console (if you use it) ironically can help produce such an inventory – but remember, using AMC itself requires you to be licensed!
• Financial Penalties and True-Up Costs: If an audit finds that you have been using Oracle Java without proper licensing, the company will likely require you to purchase backdated subscriptions or perpetual licenses for the unlicensed period, possibly with additional penalties. For example, suppose you had 500 servers running Oracle JDK 11 for two years without a subscription. In that case, Oracle might bill you for two years of subscription for all those servers (and under the new rules, potentially for all employees). The cost can be steep, often reaching into six or seven figures for large environments. Non-compliance fines per se are less common than forcing the purchase of licenses at list price for past usage. Either way, it’s an unbudgeted expense that can hurt.
• Legal and Operational Risk: Beyond the immediate financial impact, an Oracle compliance issue can escalate into a legal dispute if not resolved amicably. Oracle’s contracts typically give it the right to revoke licenses or seek legal remedies for infringement. While Oracle pulling the plug on your Java runtimes is unlikely (Java is embedded in your systems, and Oracle can’t exactly “turn it off”), the risk of a lawsuit or forced settlement is real if you ignore compliance issues. Additionally, during an audit period, new deployments may be put on hold due to uncertainty, which can impact IT operations and project timelines.
• Soft Audits via Sales Tactics: Sometimes the “audit” comes in the form of a sales pitch: Oracle might inform you that “by the way, using Java in XYZ manner requires a subscription; you should buy our new Universal Subscription – how many employees did you say you have?” This can catch CIOs off guard. It’s important not to make any decisions or purchases under pressure. Always validate Oracle’s claims with your analysis or third-party advice. Remember that Oracle’s representatives have a quota and are motivated to sell more licenses. It’s okay to push back and take the time to assess your actual usage.

Mitigating Audit Risk: Preparation is key. CIOs should insist on an internal Java audit before Oracle comes knocking. Use software asset management (SAM) tools or scripts to scan your environment for Java installations.

Identify all Oracle JDK and JRE instances and their corresponding versions. Check if any of them are beyond the allowed free usage (e.g., Java 8 update 202 or later, or Java 11+ without a subscription). Especially look for any evidence of commercial feature usage (e.g., JFR enabled, AMC deployed).

With that data, you can quantify your exposure. If it’s minimal, you might decide to quickly remove or replace those instances with OpenJDK, and thus be able to certify that no Oracle Java is used. If it’s significant, you have to weigh the cost of coming into compliance (possibly by negotiating a subscription) against migration. In any case, being proactive will put you in a better position than being caught off guard by an Oracle audit.

Impact of Switching from Oracle Java to OpenJDK (or Other Distributions)

Faced with rising costs and compliance burdens, many organizations are considering switching from Oracle’s Java distribution to OpenJDK or third-party Java distributions. OpenJDK is the open-source reference implementation of Java.

Several vendors provide free builds of OpenJDK, along with optional paid support.

Here’s what CIOs should consider regarding such a switch:

• Functionality and Compatibility: The good news is that OpenJDK and Oracle JDK are essentially the same in terms of core functionality – Oracle’s JDK is built on top of the OpenJDK project with a few additional utilities. Starting with Java 11, Oracle even unified the codebases. This means your Java applications should run on OpenJDK builds with no code changes. Many large enterprises and software vendors have successfully transitioned to OpenJDK distributions. Examples include Amazon’s Corretto, IBM’s Semeru, Red Hat’s build (used in RHEL), Azul’s Zulu, and the community-driven Eclipse Temurin from Adoptium. Compatibility is generally a low concern, but it’s prudent to test critical applications in a staging environment with the new JDK before full cutover.
• Replacing the Commercial Features: If your team relies on specific Oracle-only features, you’ll need to find alternatives:
  • Java Flight Recorder: As mentioned, JFR was open-sourced. OpenJDK 11 and later include Flight Recorder. So, if you move to (for example) Eclipse Temurin Java 17, you still have JFR available for troubleshooting, without needing an Oracle license.
  • Java Mission Control (JMC) is available as an open-source tool, hosted by the Eclipse Foundation. You can download the JMC client and use it to analyze JFR recordings from any compliant JVM. Oracle’s subscription isn’t required to use open-source JMC, though Oracle’s supported version might have some extra polish. In practice, many companies can do without Oracle’s support for these tools.
  • Advanced Management Console: This one does not have a drop-in open-source equivalent. If central Java version control is important, you may have to implement alternative strategies. For example, using standard desktop management software, such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager/SCCM or other endpoint management tools, to script the uninstallation of old Java Runtime Environments (JREs) and the installation of new ones. Some organizations simply decide they can live without the fine-grained control AMC offered, especially as browser plug-ins and other Java desktop vectors have faded. If necessary, there are third-party PC inventory tools that can report on installed software, including Java versions.
  • Usage Tracking: OpenJDK does not have the exact Oracle usage tracking feature, but you can approximate this by other means (for instance, using endpoint monitoring or even parsing system process lists to see when java it runs). This is more of a nice-to-have than a necessity in most cases.
• Support and Updates: One of the main reasons companies stick with Oracle is the assurance of timely security updates and a support hotline if something goes wrong. If you switch to an OpenJDK distribution, you should have a plan for updates. The community (E.g., Adoptium) typically releases quarterly updates for LTS versions shortly after Oracle does, since the code patches are publicly available. These updates are free. However, community support (forums, etc.) is on a best-effort basis. For mission-critical needs, you can purchase support from vendors like Red Hat, Azul, or IBM for their distributions, often at a significantly lower cost than Oracle’s subscription. For example, some third-party support providers will contract to provide you with patches and assistance for a fixed annual fee that might be far less than Oracle’s per-employee pricing.
• Long-Term Support (LTS) Timelines: Ensure the distribution you choose aligns with your required support timeline. Oracle’s model is now to release a new Long-Term Support (LTS) every two years and require a subscription to receive patches beyond a certain point, whereas other providers may commit to longer support for a given LTS. Red Hat, for instance, has traditionally provided updates for JDK 8 and 11 for many years. Azul offers even extended support for older Java versions (for a fee). If you have legacy applications stuck on Java 8 or 11, moving to an OpenJDK build with long-term, free updates (like those maintained by the community or by Red Hat for its customers) can be a significant cost saver compared to paying Oracle for continued Java 8 updates.
• Operational Considerations: Switching Java vendors is not as disruptive as switching to a different operating system, but it still requires planning. Your IT staff will need to:
  • Identify all instances of Oracle Java in the environment.
  • Replace them with the chosen alternative (this could be as simple as uninstalling Oracle JDK and installing OpenJDK on each server or VM).
  • Update any scripts or automation that pointed to specific Oracle paths (the default installation directories might differ).
  • Verify that applications start and run normally with the new Java Development Kit (JDK). (Most will, but maybe some subtle differences like default garbage collector or jitter in performance should be checked.)
  • Train the team on any new update processes (e.g., instead of downloading from Oracle’s site, you’ll pull updates from Adoptium or your vendor’s repository).
• Cost Savings vs. Risks: The primary driver to switch is cost avoidance. If Oracle’s Java is set to cost you hundreds of thousands or millions per year, then investing some effort to switch is worthwhile. The risks are low, as long as you test properly. Java is very standardized, and you are not locked into Oracle technologically. The biggest risk might simply be the time and effort required to switch, and potentially the need to support yourself. But many CIOs conclude that reducing vendor lock-in and saving budget is worth it. Moreover, you can opt for a hybrid approach: keep Oracle Java for certain critical apps where you truly need Oracle’s direct support or unique features, and use OpenJDK for everything else. This can dramatically cut costs by limiting the scope of Oracle licenses. (Oracle’s new model complicates this, since it wants an enterprise-wide count, but some organizations with existing contracts have carved out smaller deals focused on specific segments or are negotiating custom terms. It’s not Oracle’s preference to allow that, but if a big customer pushes back, there might be room for a tailored agreement.)

In summary, switching to OpenJDK or another distribution is a viable and increasingly common strategy to escape Oracle’s high licensing fees. It requires due diligence and testing, but many enterprises have successfully done so.

CIOs should evaluate the total cost of ownership. An open-source Java might introduce slight indirect costs, such as needing internal effort to manage updates or a smaller support contract with a third party, but these are usually dwarfed by the Oracle subscription fees, now based on employee count.

The key is to make an informed choice rather than simply renewing Oracle out of habit or fear. If you stay with Oracle, it should be because the value (e.g., their support or specific features) outweighs the cost for your situation.

Recommendations

For CIOs and IT leaders wrestling with Java licensing decisions, here are some actionable recommendations:

• Inventory Your Java Usage: Conduct a thorough audit of where and how Java is used in your organization. Identify all installations and their versions, including Oracle and non-Oracle versions. This will clarify your risk and guide your strategy (e.g., how many servers would need migration or licensing).
• Determine License Exposure: Check if you are using any Oracle Java versions or features that require a commercial license. This includes Oracle JDK 8 updates beyond 8u202, any use of Java 11+ Oracle builds in production without a subscription, and any use of commercial features like JFR, JMC, or AMC on older versions. Quantify the scope (how many employees or devices are involved).
• Evaluate the Value of Oracle’s Features: For any commercial-only features you’re using (or considering), assess whether they are mission-critical. Could open-source equivalents or alternative tools fill the gap? For example, if you heavily rely on Java Flight Recorder for troubleshooting, ensure you plan to use an OpenJDK with JFR if you drop Oracle. If the Advanced Management Console is central to your desktop management, maybe retaining a smaller Oracle Java license just for your desktop environment is worth it, or explore third-party endpoint management solutions.
• Consider Switching to OpenJDK (Fully or Partially): If your analysis shows Oracle’s costs are disproportionate, develop a plan to migrate to OpenJDK or a supported third-party Java. Start with a pilot on non-production systems or less critical apps to build confidence. Many organizations take a phased approach, migrating one application at a time. Document the process and best practices as you go to streamline further transitions.
• Train and Inform Your Teams: Make sure developers, system administrators, and procurement are all aware of Java licensing constraints. A common failure occurs when developers download an Oracle JDK out of convenience, unaware that the production deployment then becomes non-compliant. Establish internal guidelines, for example, standardizing on a specific OpenJDK distribution for all new Java installations and restricting downloads of Oracle JDK unless specifically approved for an exception.
• Engage Oracle (and Other Vendors) Proactively: If you have a large Java footprint and some budget for it, engage Oracle proactively rather than waiting for an audit. You might be able to negotiate terms, especially if you’re mid-contract or a large Oracle customer in other areas. At the same time, reach out to third-party Java support providers to compare offerings. Use the competition to your advantage – Oracle may be more willing to offer a discount or flexible metric if they know you are considering dropping them entirely.
• Budget for Compliance and Support: Include Java in your IT budget planning. If you decide to stick with Oracle, forecast the subscription costs (with expected employee growth) for the next few years; don’t let it catch you by surprise. If you switch to a non-Oracle JDK, allocate resources for managing updates and possibly a support contract or additional tooling to fill any gaps (still likely far cheaper than Oracle, but not zero effort).
• Stay informed about licensing changes: Oracle’s Java roadmap and licensing terms continue to evolve. Keep an eye on announcements – for instance, changes to the no-fee license policy, new versions being released (which could affect your update strategy), or any adjustments Oracle makes to pricing. Being aware early will help you adapt your strategy before it becomes a last-minute fire drill.

By taking these steps, CIOs can minimize the risk of Java licensing surprises, control costs, and ensure that their teams have the necessary Java capabilities.

The key is to treat Java not as an afterthought (it was free and ubiquitous for so long that it’s easy to overlook) but as a strategic component that warrants active management. With proper oversight, you can avoid compliance traps and choose the most cost-effective way to keep your Java applications running smoothly.

Treat it as a major procurement decision with significant financial and operational impact. CIOs should collaborate with CFOs to weigh the costs versus risks and make an informed choice, rather than being caught by Oracle’s sales tactics or audit threats.

If you need Oracle Java and there is no immediate alternative, proceed with caution, ensure full compliance, and budget accordingly. If the cost is unjustifiably high, build a case for change internally before Oracle forces you to act. Above all, stay informed – Oracle’s policies can evolve, and staying on top of licensing news will help you avoid surprises.