Oracle has begun scrutinizing third-party software program tools designed to observe commercial Java licensing in enterprise environments, and has issued a warning.
In March, the ever-present Big Software began working with Java tools in its software license review to soften customers’ fears that, if it weren’t for the spirit of the contract, they might be intimidated by the fine print.
Massive Crimson first introduced two new licensing models for its Customary Version (Java SE) industrial Java platform in April 2019, when it began charging a license fee for upfront free Java. This requires customers to purchase an annual subscription to Java SE Industrial Commodities to receive patches and updates.
When Oracle launches Java 17 in September 2021, it starts offering a free license with free quarterly updates for 3 years – but only for this iteration, not earlier ones like Java 7, 8, and 11 Version.
Oracle has now validated vendors offering product tools to help monitor licensing and usage knowledge from Oracle Database, Fusion Middleware and Java. The 2 authorized resellers are Flexera and Lime Software program.
Oracle offers a suite of licensing tools for its broader utility and infrastructure software programs, and consultants warn that while they’re often helpful, they don’t give the consumer community a cast-iron licensing place to fend off aggressive Audit. The fact is that Oracle is free to use the information in the tool to account for its situation in the audit.
In March, Garrick Brivkalns, program director at Oracle’s international licensing and consulting provider, said in a webinar that Oracle only reviewed raw knowledge of the use of the tools. It “cannot verify the different capabilities a device may have, which amounts to: “For example, monitoring entitlements, reconciling entitlements, usage and figuring out where compliance is located,” he said.
Craig Guarente, founder and CEO of Palisade Compliance, an Oracle licensing consultancy registry This week, a brand new Java audit tool should include the same health warning.
“None of these tools give you a place to be compliant,” he said. “These validated tools, whether for Java or other commodities, simply imply that Oracle is validating that the tools provide all the data Oracle wants to audit. For example, if the tool states that you are using 100 licenses, this Doesn’t mean Oracle agrees you’re using 100 licenses. It just means Oracle will be able to take raw knowledge and do its own assessment and rely on their numbers.
While these tools may make it easier for Oracle to audit consumers, they are at least helpful in the sense that they provide an informational level. “It’s better than nothing,” Guarente said.
Palisade has a Java-licensed facility that Oracle probably won’t validate because “it’s not one of the best curiosities for our potential customers,” Guarente said
Nonetheless, Lime Software plans to argue that since 2010, Oracle has accepted information collected by different equipment vendors.
“Instrument [verified] Distributors should return the same knowledge that Oracle will return,” said director Alex Andrew registry“Once we’ve created our merchandise, we break down each licensed part, create inspection possibilities for each product’s usage, and demonstrate that we’ve gathered the best knowledge across all platforms and variants.”
Using these tools is safer than using the Oracle scripts themselves, he says, because Oracle can’t help them in a manufacturing environment. “I’m not saying I’ve seen cases where scripts fail or create problems. It’s just one type of problem that makes executives nervous,” he said.
Andrew said that using proven licensing tools is “an effective way to defend against Oracle audits.”
“Forewarning is forewarned, especially in the case of Oracle Java. There are all kinds of deceptive advice about Java licensing, as it is a fairly new and common challenge for C-level procurement and software program asset management teams .”
However, there are exceptions where variants and environments do not require a permit, Andrew said. The Lime software program is designed to reveal this data, but should be used on its own, he said.
A more complete compliance strategy includes the tools, people and processes to fundamentally get the most out of their agreement without being out of compliance. “Tools should identify hazards, advisors should address those hazards, and processes should ensure that hazards do not occur again,” he said. ®
Oracle Comments on Third-Party Licensing Tools for Java • The Register