Top 10 Things to Know About Oracle Java Licensing in 2025

Oracle has significantly changed its Java licensing strategy, increasing enforcement efforts and refining its audit process. If your organization uses Java SE, understanding these developments is crucial.

Here are the top 10 things you need to know about Oracle Java licensing in 2025

1. Oracle’s Java SE Revenue Exceeds $2 Billion Annually

• Due to the massive success of Java SE sales, Oracle is expanding its audit and sales teams.
• Expect more aggressive sales tactics and an increase in audit activity.
• We estimate that 90% of revenue comes from soft or formal audit activities. Very few organizations need Java SE.

2. Oracle’s Formal Audit Process

• The Oracle Java audit process typically starts with a sales team outreach.
• If you decline to cooperate or refuse to buy licenses during that process, Oracle will escalate the issue by sending formal audit letters to your CFO or CIO.
• The formal audit involves tools, scripts, and questionnaires and asks you to certify that you do not use Oracle Java.

3. Oracle’s Soft Audit Process

• Oracle starts with a sales inquiry about your Java usage.
• They ask about downloads and past usage.
• If concerns arise, the Oracle Business Practices team gets involved.
• Oracle’s audit team often follows this and, if unresolved, a litigation letter.
• Six of our clients have received letters from Oracle’s litigation office in recent months.

4. Oracle’s Primary Audit Evidence: Download Records

• Oracle tracks IP addresses, company names, emails, and timestamps from Java downloads.
• If you’ve downloaded Java SE, Oracle assumes usage unless proven otherwise.

5. Only One Available License Model: Employee Metric

• The Employee Metric is the only licensing option for Java SE.
• Discounts are rare but may be possible for five-year or longer agreements.

6. Legacy License Holders at Risk of Forced Migration

• If you still have legacy Java licensing models, Oracle will require you to undergo an audit to verify that you are within your license grant.
• You will be forced to switch to the Employee Metric model if you exceed your entitlement by even one license.
• I advised one organization recently undergoing an “audit” of a 5k $ renewal for legacy metrics. Oracle was starting to ask them some tough questions, and I said Oracle was out after the 7 million USD deal for employees. Oracle has no interest in renewing legacy licenses for 5k $

7. SAM Tools Are Detecting Java Commercial Features Usage

• Software Asset Management (SAM) tools are increasingly aligned with Oracle.
• Some tools can now detect whether you used an MSI Enterprise Installer for Java in the past.
• If detected, Oracle will require licensing for older versions as well.

8. Almost No Third-Party Applications Have Java SE Distribution Rights

• Few vendors have official Java SE distribution licenses, but the number is so low that it can be counted on one hand.
• If you’re using third-party software, including Java, assume you need a separate Java license.

9. Oracle Software Often Includes Java SE – Review Carefully

• Many Oracle software products come bundled with Java SE.
• Review your Oracle product deployments carefully to determine if additional licensing is required.

10. Oracle’s Java SE Commercial Proposals & Payment Demands

Oracle presents various commercial offers, often using download records as leverage:

Common Oracle Java Proposals:

1. If you claim you don’t need Java SE licenses, Oracle may demand 3-5 years of retroactive payments based on download records.
2. Oracle often presents multiple proposals, including:
   • 1-year agreement + 3 years of retroactive payments.
   • 3-year agreement with no retroactive payments.
   • 5- or 10-year agreements with no retroactive payments.

Has Oracle reached out to you about a Java license? Download our Oracle Java Audit white paper to learn how to respond and avoid common pitfalls.

In the white paper, we cover:

• Recommendations for responding to an Oracle soft audit
• Oracle’s soft audit process
• Oracle’s formal audit process
• The kind of data Oracle may have on your organization’s Java product downloads.

How to Prepare and Reduce Your Oracle Java Licensing Risk

1. Block Java Downloads and Updates
   • Configure your firewall software to prevent unauthorized Java downloads and updates.
2. Conduct a Licensing Assessment
   • Review all Java installations across your organization.
   • Even a single installation can trigger an Employee Metric license requirement.
3. Calculate Your Potential Licensing Risk
   • Use Oracle’s Java price list as a reference.
   • Count all full-time employees, part-time staff, temporary workers, and consultants—not just those using Java.
   • Oracle requires a license for every employee, regardless of workstation access.
4. Take Oracle’s Emails Seriously
   • If you receive an email from Oracle, don’t ignore it.
   • Time is critical—start preparing immediately.
5. Avoid Costly Mistakes – Seek Expert Assistance
   • If you’ve tried handling an Oracle audit yourself, consider professional help.
   • Oracle audits are complex, and mistakes can lead to significant financial consequences.

Do you want to know more about our Java Audit Advisory Services?

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