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Java License

 
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Hello. I dont know if this is the correct place to ask this. Any way, I will ask:
I understand (do I?) that java has been released by sun under GPL license. My question is this:
If java is under GPL license, all programs I write HAVE to be under the same license? If so, Am i obligated to release the source code of my application?

Thanks a lot!
 
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No.
 
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Java is not released under GPL; see http://java.sun.com/javase/faqs.jsp#2q1.

However, even if it were, only derivatives of the JDK, JRE or Oracle code would have to be released under the GPL. Any code you write using the tools is not a derivative as you could also use a different compiler and JVM to run them. Therefore, you are free to choose any license for the Java code you write yourself (provided it's not the derivative of some other code, you'd need to check its license for that).
 
Jessid Leon Velez Gutierrez
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Rob Spoor wrote:Java is not released under GPL; see http://java.sun.com/javase/faqs.jsp#2q1.

However, even if it were, only derivatives of the JDK, JRE or Oracle code would have to be released under the GPL. Any code you write using the tools is not a derivative as you could also use a different compiler and JVM to run them. Therefore, you are free to choose any license for the Java code you write yourself (provided it's not the derivative of some other code, you'd need to check its license for that).



Thanks Rob for answering. Just one last question about this topic:

If I decide to write an app using the SE of java and sell it, will I ever have to pay something to Oracle?

"Note that in either case (SCSL or JRL), if you decide to use your project internally for productive use or distribute your product to others, you must sign a commercial agreement and meet the Java compatibility requirements. Contact your local Sun office to obtain an agreement. "
 
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Did you notice that the passage Rob linked to talks about the BCL? The SCSL or JRL are about Java's source code, not about using the binary Java distribution.
 
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