Oracle has changed the license agreement for the JDK 17 package (Java SE Development Kit), under which reference builds of tools for developing and running applications in the Java language (utilities, compiler, class library, and JRE runtime environment) are provided. Starting with JDK 17, the package is delivered under the new NFTC license (Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions), which allows free use in personal and commercial projects, as well as application in operational environments of commercial systems. Moreover, the restrictions on confirming download operations on the website have been lifted, enabling the automatic download of JDK from scripts.
The NFTC license also implies the possibility of free quarterly updates that address bugs and vulnerabilities, but these updates for LTS branches will not be released for the entire support period, but only for one year after the release of the next LTS version. For example, Java SE 17 will be supported until 2029, but free access to updates will stop in September 2024, one year after the release of Java SE 21 LTS. As for the distribution of JDK by third-party vendors, it is permitted, provided the package is not supplied for profit. The free OpenJDK package, on which Oracle builds JDK, will continue to develop under the previous conditions under the GPLv2 license with exceptions for GNU ClassPath, allowing dynamic linking with commercial products.
Recall that since 2019, the OTN license agreement (Oracle Technology Network) was applied to JDK, which allowed free use only during the software development process, for personal use, testing, prototyping, and application demonstration. Using it in commercial projects required the purchase of a separate license.
Source: opennet.ru
