No, the IBM SDK for Java and IBM Semeru Runtimes download pages host free, unsupported Java SDKs / JREs.

Oracle’s stated date was January 2019.

Here is a summary of how this stands after Oracle's announcement in September 2021:

Notes:

• 1. Oracle's proprietary No Fee license applies until one year after the subsequent LTS release. After the free use license period expires, subsequent updates will revert to the license model in use for Oracle Java 8 and 11.

In essence this means there are no longer any free security updates provided by Oracle to Java Version 8 and Java Version 11. Furthermore, if you are using Oracle Java in a commercial environment then you may incur a license cost.

No, IBM customers have a continued right to use these Java technology components at no additional cost under the terms of the IBM product license. IBM has a comprehensive agreement with Oracle that gives IBM rights to bundle Java technology with IBM products and Oracle’s commercial pricing for their Java products will have no effect on the IBM customer using Java products under the IBM product license. There is no requirement to contact Oracle for licensing or support of Java products in these cases.

Note that the Java products supplied with the IBM product can only be used for the purpose of using the IBM product and should not be used for other program or application development.

Oracle hasn’t provided details on how it intends to enforce its new support model. And although you are in compliance with the IBM Product license, Oracle could attempt to initiate audits of companies it suspects are using Java products commercially under their licenses.

No. However, Oracle hasn’t provided details on how it intends to enforce its new support model. But as long as you are using the Java JDK, SDK, and/or JRE only under and within the terms of an IBM Product license, then all commercial rights to use these Java technology components are already covered and it would be inappropriate for Oracle to charge you.

You should contact your local IBM representative for assistance.

Platforms affected include: Solaris, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. However, if you, or your business are licensing Java technology components on those platforms under the IBM Product license there is no requirement to contact Oracle for licensing or support.

Yes. IBM SDKs/JREs will remain available for many platforms from IBM Support and will continue to be available to IBM customers with entitlements to IBM software that bundle Java SDKs/JREs. This includes Java SDKs/JREs shipped for IBM operating systems, e.g. AIX, z/OS, IBM i (OS/400), or IBM products, e.g. WAS, MQ, IIB, DB2, etc.

No, SDKs/JREs for IBM Systems are provided with IBM Products and from IBM on IBM Support. In addition, OpenJDK with OpenJ9 builds for these platforms are available at the IBM Semeru Runtimes download page. Oracle’s policy change has no impact on any of the above.

Yes, if you downloaded your Java SE binary from Oracle.com and are using it in any of your products, devices, or platforms for commercial purposes, or within your business then you are affected by this announcement.

IBM recommends you choose an equivalent IBM JRE, or a Java build of an open-source JRE (based on OpenJDK) such as OpenJDK with Eclipse OpenJ9 (see the IBM Semeru Runtimes), which will remain free-to-use for commercial purposes.

If you want support, IBM can provide a cost effective option through our IBM Runtimes for Business offering, which includes Java application monitoring and management.

Yes. Customers that want 24×7 support for Java can purchase the IBM Runtimes for Business offering. This provides support for OpenJDK binaries (OpenJ9 or HotSpot VM), which are available from the IBM Semeru Runtimes (OpenJ9 VM) and Eclipse Adoptium™ community (HotSpot VM). The OpenJ9 VM is IBM’s open source version of the JVM used in the IBM SDK for Java and which is integral to many IBM products that customers deploy to run their enterprise Java workloads today.

Yes. Support for the SDKs/JREs is included as part of the installation of an IBM Product is included in the support entitlement for the IBM operating system or other IBM product that includes it. If support for SDKs/JREs outside of these use cases is needed, IBM sells the IBM Runtimes for Business offering, which provides support for the IBM Semeru Runtimes or Eclipse Temurin™ binaries from the Eclipse Adoptium™ community. For more information, see the Marketplace page.

IBM provides a very cost effective support contract, please see the Marketplace page or speak to your IBM Account Representative.

IBM has a long-standing commitment to Java technology and the Java community. You can read about our latest commitment in this blog post which introduces in 2021  the no-cost IBM Semeru Runtimes.

Please contact jimmail@uk.ibm.com or your account representatives/advocates for inquiries concerning any additional details not included in the above.