With Java, the how is not so simple. Sun, I believe, has the IP rights it needs to open source Java. It's the compatibility problem that's the major thorn (as O'Grady and others often allude to).

The first big open-source-related stink has emerged in the wake of the Oracle-Sun merger … and it involves MySQL, and the possible forking thereof by the original developers. The Java community ...

Peter Yared, formerly of Sun and now CEO of ActiveGrid, posted an open letter to Sun President and COO Jonathan Schwartz regarding open sourcing Java on his blog. Here's the text:Dear Jonathan ...

Following four price changes between 2020 and 2023, Oracle customers aren't happy with Java pricing - and are seeking alternatives.

Oracle said this week it plans to transfer management of the Java EE project to an open-source foundation, such as Apache or Eclipse.