Paul Krill
Editor at Large

FreeBSD Foundation, Sun working on Java license

news
Jan 6, 20051 min

Pact to boost apps development on open source OS

The FreeBSD Foundation and Sun Microsystems are negotiating a new license to continue distribution of binaries for the Java runtime and the JDK, for use with the FreeBSD open source operating system, according to the foundation.

A FreeBSD official, while saying the license indeed had recently been revoked, said Sun has sought to renegotiate terms to standardize them.

“There was no malice behind what happened,” said Justin Gibbs, secretary, treasurer, and founder of the FreeBSD Foundation. The foundation provides support for FreeBSD but does not itself distribute it.

“Our intention [with] the renegotiation is that it will have no effect on how people are able to use our distribution,” Gibbs said. The foundation anticipates quick resolution of the license issue, according to Gibbs.

The Java technologies enable development of Java applications on FreeBSD.

Sun, in a prepared statement, said it had not revoked the foundation’s license.

“Sun has not revoked FreeBSD’s license. Sun is currently in discussions with FreeBSD regarding the renewal of their license and does not comment on ongoing third-party discussions,” the company said.

The foundation has had a license since 2002 to distribute the Java technologies, according to Gibbs.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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