What is OpenJDK is a question many customers have. This question is being asked more frequently after Oracle started charging huge sums of money for Java SE subscriptions.
What is OpenJDK?
OpenJDK (Open Java Development Kit) is a free and open-source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE).
OpenJDK License
OpenJDK is licensed under the GNU General Public License 2 with a linking exception.
(The linking exception prevents components that are linked to the Java Class Library becoming subject to the terms of the GPL license.)
- Oracle States:
- OpenJDK, Oracle’s free, GPL-licensed, production-ready JDK, can be downloaded from https://openjdk.java.net. (one of the locations this is stated is here . )
- OpenJDK.org states:
- Download and install the latest open-source JDK.
- Oracle’s free, GPL-licensed, production-ready OpenJDK JDK 23 binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows are available at jdk.java.net/23;
- Oracle’s commercially-licensed JDK 23 binaries, based on the same code, are here.
Interpretation of the OpenJDK License
- OpenJDK is free to use for commercial or personal use cases.
- OpenJDK can be distributed, free or with a fee.
- If OpenJDK is distributed, the recipient should receive all the rights that you have. This also means that the recipient should receive or can get the source code. And, importantly, the recipient should know about these rights.
If you want to understand more about Java licensing, contact us
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