Oracle may be next in EU software licensing hot seat following SAP deal
Commission reportedly seeks third-party views, although no formal investigation is underway
The European Commission (EC) may soon investigate Oracle's software licensing practices, following its scrutiny of enterprise software vendor SAP. The EC accepted SAP's legally binding commitments to abolish reinstatement fees and reduce back-maintenance fees, among other concessions, in July. Oracle's licensing practices have been under criticism for years, particularly its treatment of Java, which became a proprietary product after Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2009.
Oracle's new licensing regime for Oracle Java SE, introduced in January 2023, has drawn industry experts' attention, as it could result in businesses paying significantly higher fees based on employee count. Another criticized licensing mechanism is Oracle's Unlimited License Agreement, which has been accused of offering poor value, limiting user choice, and locking customers in.
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