http://www.javasoft.com/source_form.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)

Obtaining Java Language Source

Goal: Sun's goal is to promote open systems, open architectures, and consistent versions of the Java(tm) language.

Summary:

This page describes the background and basic ground rules of the Internal Use Source License Agreement. (Refer to the actual agreement for the details.) Sun requires anyone interested in downloading the source code to the Java language to sign this license agreement and return it to us by fax or snail mail. If you have already signed the license agreement for the Beta source, you do not need to fill out a new license agreement. Simply send mail to licensing@java.sun.com letting us know you've sent in the license agreement for Beta, and would like the 1.0 source, with your full name, phone number, company name, and the name of the original signer, if different from yours. If there are any problems, we'll get in touch with you - otherwise, we'll send you FTP instructions for downloading the source.

Overview:

Our primary goals for the Java language revolve around ubiquity and compatiblity. We are committed to open systems, maintaining an open spec, and enabling you to see how we implement the Java language. For these reasons, Sun is making the Java language source available to anyone interested in evaluating or studying it.

Since the initial release of Java on the Internet in March 1995, thousands of developers have adopted Java as their language of choice for delivering executable content across networks. Java is the first language to comprehensively solve the key challenges of network-centric programming - enabling developers to deliver powerful and compelling applications securely, across multiple platforms.

Because Sun is firmly committed to enabling developers to take maximum benefit of these features, we've made it as easy as possible to obtain the complete Java release by providing the full source code and language specification free for download. Doing so provides important educational benefits, and enables continued innovation and ports of Java to new platforms.

As Java increases in popularity, it is crucial to the rapidly growing community of Java developers and end-users that we maintain and preserve compatibiltity of Java across all platforms and implementations. We must ensure that there is only one version of the Java language, so that an applet written in Java can run on any port anywhere on the Net. In order to do so, we must prevent the distribution of nonstandard variations of the language.

Towards this goal, as Java 1.0 is released, we are requesting that those gaining access to our source code sign a license agreement. This agreement permits a variety of internal uses for the source code, including evaluation, research, education, and porting for individuals and organizations who do not redistribute any modified source or binaries.

Details:

Companies or individuals who wish to create a new port of the Java language have the right under this agreement to post the binaries of that port to the Internet for use by others, as long as the port is free of charge and passes the publicly available test suites. (Test suites will be available sometime in the first half of 1996.) The "diffs" may also be posted on the web as long as the underlying source code is not posted. The Java source code is confidential and proprietary information of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Please see the JDK 1.0 Source FAQ for more information. Sun owns all modifications made to the source code under this license.
If the port is included in any commercial product, the company distributing that product must execute a commercial license agreement with Sun. Once the commercial license is executed, the diffs may be obtained from the creator of the port.
The "Java Compatible" logo, which signifies interoperability through conformance with Java compatibility test suites, is not licensed under this agreement; a separate trademark license will be available for this purpose.
Universities or students who wish to redistribute non-compatible versions of the Java language strictly for educational use should send email to licensing@java.sun.com
No one is authorized to redistribute source under this agreement.
Redistribution of modified source within an organization for productive use (e.g MIS, IR use) is prohibited under this license.

Sun is pleased to offer developers access to Java source code to further education, porting and innovation, while ensuring compatibility and interoperability. We're committed to helping you take advantage of this ground-breaking technology to create revolutionary applications of your own.

For more licensing information, please see our Licensing FAQ

Copyright © 1995 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 2550 Garcia Ave., Mtn. View, CA 94043-1100 USA. All rights reserved. For Java technical support, see the newsgroup comp.lang.java or send mail to java@java.sun.com. For problems with this web site, send mail to webmaster@java.sun.com.