The European Commission is reportedly examining Oracle's software licensing practices, potentially laying the groundwork for a formal investigation similar to the one it recently concluded against SAP. According to MLex, the Commission has begun seeking third-party views on Oracle's approach, though it has stressed that no formal probe has yet been opened. The move matters because it signals continued EU regulatory interest in how major enterprise software vendors licence and support their products, following a case that forced SAP to make significant concessions to customers.

The scrutiny follows the EC's investigation into SAP, which concluded in July with the German firm agreeing to legally binding commitments, including scrapping reinstatement fees and cutting back-maintenance charges. Oracle's licensing practices have long drawn criticism, notably its 2023 shift to a per-employee subscription model for Java SE, which Gartner estimated could cost two to five times more than the previous scheme, and its Unlimited License Agreement, which critics say locks customers in despite Oracle's insistence it offers flexibility and value. An EC spokesperson confirmed ongoing monitoring of the sector for anti-competitive conduct but said no formal investigation into any company is currently underway.