Can you tell me if what IBM has done with their Java SDK is not already "forking" ? And what about Harmony ? Is it different from a fork (on the platform risk ground) ?
Java is not a software !
Java is a platform with specifications, test compatibility kits and a reference implementation.
You can already create your own implementation and if it passes the TCK you can put "Java compatible" on it !
So actually, the same risk of forking are already there with third-party implementation.
A dual license (GPL for source + Java BinaryLicense for binaries) is for me the solution : no changes for enterprises, improvement for the community !
Sun has to opensource the RI and going for a well-known license would ensure Java's success for decades.
If opensource is there, then be sure another famous platform will have a serious problem for the next 5 years. Look, MS did not manage to kill Linux even with billions ! Linux is gaining momentum each days .... |