Oracle has changed the license agreement for the JDK 17 (Java SE Development Kit), which provides reference builds of tools for developing and running Java applications (utilities, compiler, class library, and JRE runtime). Starting with JDK 17, the package comes under the new NFTC (Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions) license, which allows free use in personal and commercial projects, and also allows use in commercial systems working environments. Moreover, restrictions on confirming download operations on the site have been removed, which allows you to download the JDK automatically from scripts.
The NFTC license also implies the possibility of free quarterly updates with fixes for bugs and vulnerabilities, but these updates for LTS branches will not be released for the entire maintenance period, but only for another year after the release of the next LTS version. For example, Java SE 17 will be supported until 2029, but free updates will end in September 2024, one year after the release of Java SE 21 LTS. As far as third party redistribution of the JDK is concerned, it is allowed, as long as the package is not provided for profit. The free OpenJDK, on ββwhich Oracle builds the JDK, will continue to be developed under the same terms and conditions under the GPLv2 license, with GNU ClassPath exceptions to allow dynamic linking to commercial products.
Recall that since 2019, the JDK was subject to the OTN (Oracle Technology Network) license agreement, which allowed free use only in the software development process, for personal use, testing, prototyping and demonstrating applications. When used in commercial projects, a separate license was required.
Source: opennet.ru