Java was released under the GPL license back in 2006 http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3337915997.html

We have read many statements of Oracle and as far as we understand it it looks like they do not want and redistribution.

Again, Java has been available under the GPL since 2006. So if Oracle has changed the licensing, there should be a community discussion. It could be that as with any other corporate (read ossified) organization, the various pieces need time to catch up with each other and synchronize. Usually, the OSI tries to keep on top of licensing, so there may be someone there that can provide advice if Oracle representatives cannot say.

what is your take on the distribution of Java from Orcale on Windows?

Since you ask, the answer to that question, is that Windows is inappropriate for development work and even hobby programming and that there is no context -- ever -- where it would be other than a waste of time and resources. In that context, those interested in Java or any other language should be encouraged to stay on Linux, BSD, Solaris or even OS X. If they are not already doing so. While it may be fun to joke about interoperability not being a priority [1] of the makers of Windows, it is not helpful unless it leads directly to avoiding Windows completely. The barrier that Windows and Windows admins raise to third party software is a very large and persistent obstacle to introducing Free and Open Source Software. It is beyond the scope of what we can solve before 18 Sep 2010. Keeping people on Windows is, IMHO, not just keeping them unproductive, but part of the method used to prevent learning and using FOSS. Other distros do not have the enormous, artificial barriers, both technical and behavioral, to using third party tools like Java. I would instead suggest a live CD or thumbdrive distro or Wubi-based kit or remix oriented towards programming and development. If you can get people in the habit of trying other systems, then they may start to do so on their own and help others do so. /Lars [1] http://jz10.java.no/java-4-ever-trailer.html [2] http://www.sun.com/lawsuit/summary.html US District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore, ruling granting Sun's motions, Dec. 23, 2002 http://www.sun.com/lawsuit/sun_v_microsoft_opinion.pdf Court Order re the Injunctions, January 21, 2003 http://www.sun.com/lawsuit/121order.pdf