When can I use Java for free in a commercial environment, and when do I have to pay for it?

The Java Platform Standard Edition (SE) contains the features Java Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment which may be used – in combination with so called “General Purpose” applications – for free in a commercial environment. However, Oracle provides only one installation package for Java SE which, apart from the free features, contains commercial features belonging to one of the following products:

Oracle Java SE Advanced Desktop
Oracle Java SE Advanced
Oracle Java SE Suite

Therefore, whenever you are using one of these commercial features, you must separately license them. Since Oralce is targeting its partners with audits, please monitor the compliant use of these features.

Please refer to the attached file for a list of Java’s Commercial Features.

Sources:

Oracle Java SE Product Editions Guide, Januar 2017

Oracle Binary Code License Agreement for Java SE Platform Products, Januar 2017

Article on www.theregister.co.uk, retrieved 2017-01-25 (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/12/16/oracle_targets_java_users_non_compliance/)

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