Java becomes more distributable

Posted May 17, 2006 23:53 UTC (Wed) by piman (guest, #8957)
Parent article: Java becomes more distributable

> c) you do not combine, configure or distribute the Software to run in conjunction with any additional software that implements the same or similar functionality or APIs as the Software

So, uh, how can distributions still distribute this? Or does shipping Kaffe and GCJ and Classpath alongside this not count as distributing "to run in conjunction with"? It doesn't seem any better than the old license...

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Java becomes more distributable

Posted May 18, 2006 1:56 UTC (Thu) by ttfkam (guest, #29791) [Link] (2 responses)

I doubt GNU Classpath or gcj are the targets of this. Methinks this clause is there to prevent Microsoft from tweaking the VM again. Note: I said "again."

When someone has actively tried to screw you in the past, isn't it prudent to take steps to avoid getting screwed in the same way next time?

I mean c'mon! Let's be honest. How often has Sun tried to mess with gcj development in the past? You think they don't know about it by now? When has Sun ever tried to attack the Kaffe project, who have been banging out code for the last ten years?

Why on Earth would they start now when it would only foster ill will?

(Disclaimer: I am not now nor ever have been a Sun employee, but I do code in Java on occasion.)

Java becomes more distributable

Posted May 18, 2006 6:25 UTC (Thu) by piman (guest, #8957) [Link]

> I doubt GNU Classpath or gcj are the targets of this.

Whether or not they're the "targets", they're definitely affected. In fact, I see no way this clause harms MS, who have their (successful) Java competitor. It only harms free software -- probably because Sun sees GCJ, Kaffe, and Classpath as dangerous to their Java hegemony (and they see it that way because they are).

> How often has Sun tried to mess with gcj development in the past?

Have you ever read the old Java license? I'd assume so initially since you said you used Java, but I guess not, or you'd know about all the clauses in it that prevented free Java developers from going within ten feet of it.

Java becomes more distributable

Posted May 18, 2006 6:55 UTC (Thu) by job (guest, #670) [Link]

I don't understand. How can you accept a license on the basis of "c'mon, you don't actually have to adhere to it"?

And how can this be acceptable to Ubuntu? Will they stop distributing classpath and friends or will they break the license until Sun says something? If that is the case, why was the license a problem before?