As of 2025, Oracle's licensing landscape has evolved, especially concerning cloud deployments, Java subscriptions, and licensing models

Cloud Licensing: Bring Your Own License (BYOL) vs. License Included

Cloud Licensing: Bring Your Own License (BYOL) vs. License Included

Oracle offers two primary licensing models for cloud environments:

  • BYOL (Bring Your Own License): Allows organisations to apply existing Oracle licenses to cloud services, potentially reducing costs.  
  • License Included: Oracle licenses are bundled into the cloud service costs, simplifying billing but possibly leading to higher expenses over time. 

When using BYOL, licensing is typically based on virtual CPUs (vCPUs). For instance, in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), one Oracle Processor license is equivalent to two OCPUs

Java Licensing: Transition to Employee-Based Subscriptions

Oracle has shifted Java licensing to an "Employee for Java SE Universal Subscription" model. This change means organisations must license Java based on their total employee headcount, including full-time, part-time, temporary employees, contractors, and consultants.  

This model can lead to significant cost increases, especially for organisations with large numbers of employees. Oracle has been actively monitoring Java usage, including tracking downloads and IP addresses, to ensure compliance

Unlimited License Agreements (ULAs): Considerations for 2025

ULAs allow organisations to deploy unlimited instances of specific Oracle products for a set period, typically three to five years. At the end of the ULA term, organisations must either renew or certify their usage.  

In 2025, Oracle is aggressively promoting ULA renewals. Organizations should assess their current usage and future needs before renewing, as certification might be more cost-effective if actual usage has declined.


 

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