Oracle Java 2019

New license terms for Java since January 2019

As of April 2019 there are no free public updates for Java SE 8, JDK 8 and JRE 8 from Oracle. If you want to continue using these versions, you have to subscribe to Oracle.

Who does this affect in Hohenheim?

All computers that are not used exclusively for teaching purposes (i.e. actually all computers except pool computers).

All computers/clients/servers (=machines) that use Oracle Java SE/JRE/JDK 8 and whose use is not clearly covered by the license agreement of the third-party manufacturer*.

All installations of updates 8u211, 8u212 (from mid-April 2019) may only be carried out via a paid subscription

What are the options?

  • You can subscribe.
    Problem: The costs are high: Per client approx. €10-28 per year are due. For servers the licensing is done via the cores -> For virtual machines all physical cores on which the machine can run are charged!!!
  • You can migrate to the free new Java version. The next version would be Java 11, then Java 12, etc (see Supportroadmap).
    Problem: Twice-yearly migrations are difficult to implement for practical reasons.
  • Change to an OpenJDK 8 version: OpenJDK, Corretto, Zulu, AdoptOpenJDK, etc.
    Problem: Not all systems can be easily converted to an OpenJDK version. Certain functions may no longer be usable or other problems may appear.
  • Leave Java in its current state and do not install any new updates.
    Problem: There are significant security vulnerabilities if Java is not updated

How do I know if the software that requires Java does not need to be licensed additionally?

You can see this from the license information, usage agreements, or product information.

Often the explicit information cannot be found directly. Look in the agreement texts for the terms 'Oracle', 'Java', 'Third Manufacturer,' or 'Third Party'.

If you have any questions regarding the license terms of the software you are using, please contact kim-software@uni-hohenheim.de. The best thing to do is to send the license agreements if they exist.

You can find helpful articles that clarify the problem under the following links:

Source: rz.uni-freiburg.de

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