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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:
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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