Wave Issue 2000 1/3/00 Article 7-02

***Sun Microsystems Offers Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition for
Free
(December 7)

Sun Microsystems announced the availability of its core Java
technology, the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition at no charge.
Since the release of the first version of the Java technology in
January 1996, Sun has licensed the Java platform source code,
including the Java programming language, runtime, compiler, and
class libraries, for various fees and royalties. The Java 2
Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) is one of three platforms in
the Java platform family, the others being the Java 2 Platform,
Micro Edition, launched in June 1999, and the Java 2 Platform,
Enterprise Edition, which was launched at the Java Business
Conference in New York City.

Beginning January 31, 2000, the source code for the Java 2
Platform, Standard Edition, will be offered without charge. The
binary runtime environment will continue to be offered for free
as well. Through a simple click wrap license, the source code for
the Java 2, Standard Edition will be offered without any
licensing or royalty fees.

Licensees who modify source code and integrate those
modifications within products will still be required to ensure
that such changes are compatible with the J2SE. Compatibility is
checked through the Java Compatibility Kit (JCK) and supporting
services. Sun is committed to working with the Java community and
testing services over the coming year to both dramatically reduce
the costs and to simplify the process for such testing.

Products that pass the certification test will be eligible to
receive the Java Compatible brand logo. This brand signifies to
the industry that the product meets the Java compatibility
requirements for J2SE. This compatibility has been key to the
adoption of Java technology during the past four years and has
helped spark the accelerating growth of business-to-business and
business-to-consumer commerce on the Internet.

In addition to relaxing licensing policies, Sun in December 1998
formalized the Java Community Process, by which members of the
Java community can establish expert groups that define extensions
to the technology. This process not only allows community
involvement in the evolution of Java technology, but also ensures
that the technology continues to stay abreast with the addition
of Internet applications, services and clients.

www.sun.com