Earlier today, Oracle announced the introduction of the Oracle Java SE Subscription. Simply put, you can now buy access to Java SE updates – including support from Oracle just as you would buy Linux updates and support from any distro provider. Pricing is low and simple. We are working to make it possible to subscribe online very soon, making it even simpler.

This new offering does not change how developers will get and use Java SE from Oracle. As announced last year, Oracle now provides OpenJDK builds under the GPL+CPE license with plans to make them functionally interchangeable with the Oracle JDK by the Java SE 11 launch in September, 2018. Going forward, we expect most developers and organizations to be using our builds as we complete the effort of making Oracle JDK and our OpenJDK builds equivalent. No more “BCL” license, use the JDK under the same license as Linux, with the “Classpath” exception to afford even more flexibility.

The Java SE Subscription offering adds to all of that by offering a commercial license for Java SE combined with technical support and access to updates on legacy versions so you can upgrade to later releases on your own schedule. It also buys time for organizations that may want another year or two to transition any use of Oracle Java SE desktop deployment technologies to other solutions. No need to buy an expensive perpetual license, just buy desktop user subscriptions on an as-needed basis.

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