Java Set Free
November 15th, 2006 • General
About ten years ago, Sun made history with the introduction of Java. Now they’re doing it again with licensing Java under GPL.
Love it or hate it, Java is one of the largest and most deployed platforms. Java is huge in the embedded devices market, it still has a say in enterprise application servers, and some people even use it for desktop applications.
I think Sun has made quite a leap by licensing Java under GPL. I’m sure it was a lot of work, since they have to make sure no code infringes other companies’ IP; I congratulate Sun. Distributing Java is no longer merely convenient, it will probably be encouraged too, just like GCC.
I like where Jonathan Schwartz stands. He believes that patents should not control software, especially not utterly meaningless ones, like patenting a shopping cart icon, or an if clause.
Certain developers are worried about having to GPL their software if distribute it alongside with Java VM. I believe that it’s not a requirement—we were always able to include proprietary software with Linux distributions. I’m not a lawyer, so you should look further into this issue if you’re worried about it.
GNU’s battle against Java was won!
4 Responses (Add Your Comment)
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They’re now considering licensing Solaris under GPL.
I don’t see why GPL’ing certain products stops Sun from being Sun. Sun is big in the hardware business, and if they manage to commoditize server software—the way Linux did—they’ll be better off selling hardware and support packages.What do you think?
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Yea but their Solaris ain’t that big, I remember their server software was used for 3d-rendering server-farms earlier in Hollywood, but I still don’t see it coming out big on enterprise.
I donno’ I just find it dying off. Just like how Netscape died and donated their browser, feels kindda the same to me. When they lose, the commit to the poor people(open source) :D
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Yes, Sun was dying. But I think they realized it in an earlier stage than Netscape. Plus, when Netscape open-sourced Mozilla, it was still almost exclusive to Netscape developers. In Sun’s case, GPL should change that, because nobody has control over GPL’ed software.
We’ll see how it goes though. 2006 has been a great year.
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I wonder what’s Sun gonna’ be called after this, no Java company.
It was their Star Office -> Open Office and now Java, and tomorrow if they give up their Sparks as well, then we’ll have no more Sun Microsystems. I’m so keen on knowing on what they’re being fed these days, no more Java law-suits vs. MS to get fed.