Apache quits Java Executive Committee

The ASF Resigns From the JCP Executive Committee

The Apache Software Foundation concludes that that JCP is not an open specification process - that Java specifications are proprietary technology that must be licensed directly from the spec lead under whatever terms the spec lead chooses; that the commercial concerns of a single entity, Oracle, will continue to seriously interfere with and bias the transparent governance of the ecosystem; that it is impossible to distribute independent implementations of JSRs under open source licenses such that users are protected from IP litigation by expert group members or the spec lead; and finally, the EC is unwilling or unable to assert the basic power of their role in the JCP governance process.

And Oracle asks them to come back: Update: Oracle asks Apache to reconsider Java committee departure - Computerworld

This was recorded before Apache quit. I don’t think he’s commented on latest events yet.

Video: James Gosling on Apple, Apache, Google, Oracle and the Future of Java

Seems that not only some small FOSS fanatics minority has it’s objections to Oracle’s ownership of Java. As long as the big ones focus on closed source and software patents, they cannot be fully trusted as open partners for the future.

I never felt comfortable about Oracle taking over Sun.
OpenOffice has already gone its own way.
VirtualBox release cycles have slowed down.
Java’s fate is not yet clear.

IBM supports the Oracle-backed Java, but I can understand their move because too much of their systems rely on Java and it would be more disruptive to business to get into this fight. Looks like it’s open source on it’s own for this fight.

> IBM supports the Oracle-backed Java, but I can understand their move
> because too much of their systems rely on Java and it would be more
> disruptive to business to get into this fight. Looks like it’s open
> source on it’s own for this fight.

IBM also doesn’t want to discontinue getting support for Oracle on AIX
and other platforms that they sell. Oracle is now a direct competitor
to IBM so will be interesting to see what happens with that relationship.

Also there is little love between Oracle and Red Hat, but I think Red Hat does quite a bit of work with Java (JBoss?) so this will be interesting. If Oracle utilizes it’s Solaris OS properly then it can spell bigger disaster for Red Hat, though from what has been seen so far I think there is a fair chance they’ll not be able to handle it.

> GofBorg;2265940 Wrote:
>> IBM also doesn’t want to discontinue getting support for Oracle on AIX
>> and other platforms that they sell. Oracle is now a direct competitor
>> to IBM so will be interesting to see what happens with that
>> relationship.
>
> Also there is little love between Oracle and Red Hat, but I think Red
> Hat does quite a bit of work with Java (JBoss?) so this will be
> interesting. If Oracle utilizes it’s Solaris OS properly then it can
> spell bigger disaster for Red Hat, though from what has been seen so far
> I think there is a fair chance they’ll not be able to handle it.

If we use history as our guide they aren’t real good at blazing new trails
only acquiring existing tech, pricing it like they are Apple and letting it
wither until it’s near useless. First they’ll do some pseudo cool marketing
with it, then some corn ball licensing will evolve, eventually fading into
obscurity or settling into a niche market…but that’s just my prediction.

Sounds like a some of the criticism towards Microsoft!

> Sounds like a some of the criticism towards Microsoft!

They are a lot alike, except you can’t quite call Windows
a niche product. :wink: Actually I think Oracle is closer to an
IBM than a Microsoft.