Sun agrees to let Java gradually percolate

Sun Microsystems has agreed to continue to loosen its grip on the Java programming language after meeting several vendors last week to discuss the software platform's future.

Sun Microsystems has agreed to continue to loosen its grip on the Java programming language after meeting several vendors last week to discuss the software platform's future.

Sun officials met representatives from vendors including Apple, Oracle, Compaq, IBM, Novell and Hewlett Packard (HP) to discuss how they can be more involved in controlling the future of Java.

Sun has come under heavy criticism recently, because of the control it wields over the programming language in terms of its licensing and royalty payments.

The latest series of meetings have seen attempts by Sun to keep allies in its camp after several - including HP, which had refused to license Java for use in some mobile devices - became frustrated with the vendor's role as Java matured.

John Collins, senior analyst at Bloor Research, said: "In the past Sun had been trying to keep stewardship of Java and it did a good job. Now we have reached a stage where Java is recognised as the number-one programming language and Sun's involvement is slowing its progress. Sun has become the bottleneck."

Collins said Sun should find it easier to relinquish control now, as Java had developed into what most people require and so was less likely to be changed.

Under the new proposals that emerged from the meeting, Sun has offered to let other companies establish groups for setting Java standards in emerging markets. In addition, the groups will also help to decide when versions are ready to move beyond the development team and into the public arena.