Oracle ULA – Renewal or Certification

What is an Oracle ULA?

An Oracle ULA is a licensing agreement between a customer and Oracle that allows the customer to license a specified set of Oracle software products for an extended period, usually three to five years. The agreement typically includes a specific number of licenses, which the customer can use to run the software on a specified number of servers.

The main benefit of an Oracle ULA is the ability to secure a predictable and stable cost structure for a significant period. By entering into a ULA, customers can lock in pricing for a specific set of products, reducing the uncertainty and unpredictability that often come with software licensing agreements.

A summary of this article

• An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) allows customers to deploy Oracle software in various cloud environments.
• The end of an Oracle ULA can pose several risks and challenges, including having to purchase additional licenses for deployments in a public cloud, compliance issues, and territory deployment rights.
• To avoid these risks, it is recommended to run Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts and have an independent Oracle licensing expert review the results before sharing any data with Oracle.
• Carefully choose the products included in the ULA and ensure they are actually needed.
• Keep track of which subsidiaries are using the ULA software and ensure that any changes are listed in the ULA contract.
• Best practices for exiting an Oracle ULA include an early review of Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms, consulting with independent licensing experts, and conducting internal audits.
• By following these best practices, customers can ensure a successful exit from their Oracle ULA and avoid costly license purchases or compliance issues.

Benefits of an Oracle ULA

There are several key benefits of an Oracle ULA, including:

• Cost Savings: One of the primary benefits of an Oracle ULA is cost savings. By locking in pricing for a set period, customers can avoid the volatility of market prices and the unpredictability of licensing costs. This can help organizations budget more effectively and allocate resources more efficiently.
• Access to Oracle’s Latest Products: Another benefit of an Oracle ULA is that customers can access the latest Oracle software products. This means that customers can take advantage of new features and functionality as soon as they become available without having to worry about the cost of upgrading to new software versions.
• Increased Flexibility: Oracle ULAs also provide customers with increased flexibility. This is because customers can choose the specific products they want to license, and they can change the number of licenses they need throughout the agreement. This can help customers respond to changing business needs and requirements more effectively.
• Improved Support: Oracle ULAs also offers improved support and maintenance services, which can help customers keep their software running smoothly and efficiently. This includes access to software updates, technical support, and the ability to take advantage of new software releases as they become available.

Risks of an Oracle ULA

Despite the many benefits of an Oracle ULA, there are also some risks that customers need to be aware of. These include:

• Commitment to a Long-Term Agreement: One of the biggest risks of an Oracle ULA is the commitment to a long-term agreement. This means that customers are locked into a specific set of products for a significant period, and they may not be able to change the number of licenses they need or switch to different products if their business needs change.
• Cost Overruns: Another risk of an Oracle ULA is the potential for cost overruns. This can occur if customers use more licenses than they originally anticipated or if they need to upgrade to new software versions. This can result in additional costs and added expenses, which can impact the organization’s overall budget and financial stability.
• Inflexibility: Oracle ULAs can also be inflexible, as customers are locked into a specific set of products and cannot change their licensing needs throughout the agreement. This can limit their ability to respond to changing business needs and requirements, resulting in a lack of agility and competitiveness in the marketplace.
• Lack of Control: Finally, customers may also have a lack of control over their software environment when using an Oracle ULA When licensing many products. This can result in a complex and difficult-to-manage software environment, which can impact the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.

Making the Decision: Oracle ULA or Alternative Licensing Options

When considering whether to enter into an Oracle ULA, weighing the benefits and risks and determining if a ULA is the best option for your organization is important. Some factors to consider when making this decision include the following:

• Business Needs: It is important to consider your current and future business needs when deciding whether to enter into an Oracle ULA. This includes your current software requirements, as well as any plans for growth or expansion in the future.
• Financial Considerations: It is also important to consider the financial impact of an Oracle ULA. This includes the upfront costs of agreeing and any potential cost overruns or added expenses throughout the agreement.
• Flexibility: Consider the level of flexibility you require in your software licensing. If you need to change your licensing needs over time, a ULA may not be the best option for your organization.
• Support and Maintenance: Consider the level of support and maintenance you require for your software environment. If you need access to frequent software updates and technical support, a ULA may be a good option for your organization.

Conclusion

Oracle ULAs can offer several benefits to organizations, including cost savings, access to the latest products, increased flexibility, and improved support and maintenance. However, there are also several risks to consider, including a commitment to a long-term agreement, cost overruns, inflexibility, and a lack of control over your software environment.

When deciding whether to enter into an Oracle ULA, it is important to consider your business needs, financial considerations, and the level of flexibility and support required in your software licensing. By taking the time to assess these factors, you can make an informed decision that is right for your organization.

Risks of an Oracle ULA

Despite the many benefits of an Oracle ULA, there are also some risks that customers need to be aware of. These include:

• Commitment to a Long-Term Agreement: One of the biggest risks of an Oracle ULA is the commitment to a long-term agreement. This means that customers are locked into a specific set of products for a significant period, and they may not be able to change the number of licenses they need or switch to different products if their business needs change.
• Cost Overruns: Another risk of an Oracle ULA is the potential for cost overruns. This can occur if customers use more licenses than they originally anticipated or if they need to upgrade to new software versions. This can result in additional costs and added expenses, which can impact the organization’s overall budget and financial stability.
• Inflexibility: Oracle ULAs can also be inflexible, as customers are locked into a specific set of products and cannot change their licensing needs throughout the agreement. This can limit their ability to respond to changing business needs and requirements, resulting in a lack of agility and competitiveness in the marketplace.
• Lack of Control: Finally, customers may also have a lack of control over their software environment when using an Oracle ULA When licensing many products. This can result in a complex and difficult-to-manage software environment, which can impact the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.

Making the Decision: Oracle ULA or Alternative Licensing Options

When considering whether to enter into an Oracle ULA, weighing the benefits and risks and determining if a ULA is the best option for your organization is important. Some factors to consider when making this decision include the following:

• Business Needs: It is important to consider your current and future business needs when deciding whether to enter into an Oracle ULA. This includes your current software requirements, as well as any plans for growth or expansion in the future.
• Financial Considerations: It is also important to consider the financial impact of an Oracle ULA. This includes the upfront costs of agreeing and any potential cost overruns or added expenses throughout the agreement.
• Flexibility: Consider the level of flexibility you require in your software licensing. If you need to change your licensing needs over time, a ULA may not be the best option for your organization.
• Support and Maintenance: Consider the level of support and maintenance you require for your software environment. If you need access to frequent software updates and technical support, a ULA may be a good option for your organization.

Conclusion

Oracle ULAs can offer several benefits to organizations, including cost savings, access to the latest products, increased flexibility, and improved support and maintenance. However, there are also several risks to consider, including a commitment to a long-term agreement, cost overruns, inflexibility, and a lack of control over your software environment.

When deciding whether to enter into an Oracle ULA, it is important to consider your business needs, financial considerations, and the level of flexibility and support required in your software licensing. By taking the time to assess these factors, you can make an informed decision that is right for your organization.

Oracle ULA to Cloud

• An Oracle ULA allows for the deployment of Oracle software in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and other public cloud providers, but it is important to check the ULA contract for territory deployment rights.
• Upon ULA expiration, there is a risk of purchasing licenses for deployments in the public cloud not claimed under the ULA terms, which can be a significant financial burden.

Oracle ULA Compliance: What You Need to Know

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a long-term licensing agreement between a customer and Oracle Corporation. The ULA allows the customer to license a specified set of Oracle software products for a set period, usually three to five years. Ensuring compliance with the terms of the ULA is crucial for avoiding potential financial and legal risks.

What is Oracle ULA Compliance?

Oracle ULA compliance refers to the process of ensuring that the customer is in compliance with the terms of their ULA agreement. This includes following the deployment rights specified in the agreement, such as the geographic regions where the software can be deployed and the number of licenses deployed.

Why is Oracle ULA Compliance Important?

1. Avoiding Financial Risks: Non-compliance with the terms of the ULA can result in significant financial risks, including purchasing licenses for deployments that are not covered by the ULA or having to renew the ULA to avoid these risks.
2. Avoiding Legal Risks: Non-compliance with the terms of the ULA can also result in legal risks, including potential lawsuits from Oracle for violation of the agreement.
3. Maintaining Good Relationships with Oracle: Ensuring compliance with the terms of the ULA can help maintain good relationships with Oracle and avoid potential disputes.

Steps to Ensure Oracle ULA Compliance

1. Review the ULA agreement: Take the time to review the ULA agreement and understand the terms and conditions of the agreement. This includes the deployment rights, the number of licenses, and the terms of the renewal process.
2. Monitor deployments: Regularly monitor your software deployments to ensure that they comply with the terms of the ULA.
3. Run Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts: Run Oracle LMS scripts to help identify any potential compliance issues and take steps to address them.
4. Engage an Oracle licensing expert: An Oracle licensing expert can provide valuable insight and guidance on how to ensure compliance with the terms of the ULA.

Conclusion

Ensuring compliance with the terms of an Oracle ULA is crucial for avoiding potential financial and legal risks. By regularly monitoring your software deployments, running Oracle LMS scripts, and engaging an Oracle licensing expert, you can increase your chances of maintaining compliance and avoiding potential issues.

Oracle ULA Problems and Solutions

• To avoid compliance issues, running Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert review the results before sharing them with Oracle.
• To avoid issues with deploying Oracle software on servers outside the territory contract, asking for worldwide territory rights when entering an Oracle ULA is recommended.
• To ensure all subsidiaries can use the Oracle ULA software, negotiate terms and conditions to allow for additions to the list of subsidiaries during the agreement’s lifetime.
• To avoid ULA renewal due to deployments of non-ULA software, conduct an internal audit and run Oracle audit scripts with the help of an independent Oracle licensing expert.
• To avoid being locked into a ULA for unused products, choose products included in the ULA and perform an internal Oracle licensing review without involving Oracle auditors.
• For companies undergoing frequent changes through mergers and acquisitions, it is important to keep track of which subsidiaries are using the ULA software and ensure changes are listed in the ULA contract.

Recommendations

• It is recommended to review Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms as early as possible, ideally six months before ULA expiration.
• Consult with research firms such as Gartner or independent licensing experts for a successful exit from Oracle ULA.

What Happens When an Oracle ULA Ends

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a license agreement that allows customers to deploy Oracle software in various cloud environments. However, like any contract, the ULA has a set term for the customer to use the software. Once the ULA term has ended, the customer may face certain risks and challenges if they do not renew the agreement or make alternative arrangements. In this article, we will discuss what happens when an Oracle ULA ends and the potential risks and solutions for customers facing this situation.

Risks of Not Renewing an Oracle ULA

One of the biggest risks for customers who do not renew their Oracle ULA is the possibility of having to purchase licenses for any deployments in a public cloud that they do not have the right to claim under the terms of the ULA. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if many Oracle licenses were deployed in the public cloud. For example, if an Oracle ULA does not allow for the certification of cloud deployments and 250 processor licenses of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition were deployed in AWS or Azure, the customer would be required to purchase licenses for those environments at a list price value of $11,875,000 on the day the ULA expires.

Compliance Issues

Another potential risk for customers whose ULA has ended is compliance issues that may arise from deploying Oracle software that is not included in the ULA contract. These deployments may be discovered during the ULA certification process, resulting in compliance issues and the need to purchase additional licenses. To avoid this problem, running Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts is recommended, and an independent Oracle licensing expert reviews the results before sharing any data with Oracle.

Territory Deployment Rights

Customers who have not renewed their ULA may also face issues when deploying Oracle software on servers located in countries that are not included in their territory contract. For example, if a customer is running servers in France but only has territory rights in the US, they may need to purchase additional licenses to use the Oracle software on the French servers. To avoid this issue, asking for worldwide territory rights when entering an Oracle ULA is recommended. This can help ensure that the customer has the necessary rights to deploy the software on servers in any location.

Subsidiaries and Customer Definition

An Oracle ULA includes a list of subsidiaries that are included in the customer definition and are, therefore, able to use Oracle ULA software. If a subsidiary is not on this list, it cannot use the software. This list may change over time as new subsidiaries are acquired, or it may not include all relevant legal entities when the ULA is initially entered into. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to negotiate the terms and conditions of the ULA and ensure that the customer has the right to add to the list of subsidiaries during the agreement’s lifetime.

Oracle ULA Certification Process

An Oracle ULA will typically conclude with an Oracle license audit, during which Oracle will use the same auditors, tools (such as Oracle license audit scripts), and processes as they do for regular audits. This is because they often find deployments of non-ULA software during the certification process, which can lead to a costly ULA renewal. To avoid this issue, conducting your own internal audit is recommended as part of the certification planning process. This can include running Oracle audit scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert analyze the results before sharing the data with Oracle. This can help identify any potential issues and allow the customer to address them before the audit.

Best Practices for Exiting an Oracle ULA

It is generally recommended to review your Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms as early as possible to have the most success when exiting the ULA. Best practices suggest starting the process of reviewing Oracle licensing at least six months before the ULA expires. Consulting with research firms such as Gartner or other independent licensing experts can also be helpful in enabling a successful exit from the Oracle unlimited license agreement.

Another best practice is to carefully choose the products you include in the ULA and ensure that they are products you actually need. Additionally, it may be helpful to perform an internal Oracle licensing review without involving Oracle auditors to identify any potential issues and address them before they become a problem.

For companies that undergo frequent changes through mergers and acquisitions, it is important to keep track of which subsidiaries use the ULA software. If any changes are made to the subsidiaries using the software during the ULA term, it is important to ensure that these changes are listed in the ULA contract. However, it is not uncommon for this step to be overlooked or for the necessary terms for subsidiaries entering the company group to be overlooked during negotiations. This can lead to issues with compliance and the use of the ULA software.

In conclusion, the end of an Oracle ULA can pose several risks and challenges for customers. 

To minimize these risks, it is recommended to follow best practices such as early review of Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms, consulting with independent licensing experts, and conducting internal audits. By taking these steps, customers can ensure a successful exit from their Oracle ULA and avoid costly license purchases or compliance issues.

It is important for organizations to plan ahead and budget for the expiration of their Oracle ULA. Before the ULA expires, the organization should review their current and projected Oracle software usage, as well as the terms and fees of the ULA, to determine if renewing the ULA or purchasing new licenses is the most cost-effective option. If the organization decides to purchase new licenses, they should allow sufficient time to negotiate the terms and complete the licensing process before the ULA expires.

Oracle ULA Negotiations

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a long-term licensing agreement between a customer and Oracle Corporation. The ULA allows the customer to license a specified set of Oracle software products for a set period, usually three to five years. Negotiating the terms of an Oracle ULA can be a complex and challenging process, but with the right approach, it is possible to secure a favorable agreement that meets the needs of your organization.

Steps to Prepare for Oracle ULA Negotiations

1. Assess your organization’s needs: Before entering into negotiations, take the time to assess your current and future needs. This includes considering factors such as the size of your organization, the number of users, the type of products you need, and your budget.
2. Research the market: Research the market to understand Oracle ULA agreements’ typical terms and conditions. This information can inform your negotiation strategy and ensure that you are getting the best possible deal.
3. Engage an Oracle licensing expert: An Oracle licensing expert can provide valuable insight and guidance throughout the negotiation process. They can help you understand the terms of the agreement, identify potential issues, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf.
4. Develop a negotiation strategy: Based on your research and the insights from your Oracle licensing expert, develop a negotiation strategy that outlines your goals and objectives. This strategy should consider the strengths and weaknesses of your position and the potential risks and benefits of the agreement.

Key Negotiating Points

1. License terms and conditions: Ensure that the license terms and conditions of the agreement are favorable for your organization. This includes the number of licenses, the agreement’s duration, and the renewal process’s terms.
2. Deployment rights: Negotiate the right to deploy the software in a variety of environments, including on-premise, in the cloud, and in virtualized environments.
3. Support and maintenance: Negotiate favorable terms for support and maintenance services, including the level of support and the response time for support requests.
4. Pricing: Negotiate the most favorable pricing terms, including discounts, incentives, and flexible payment options.
5. Exit clauses: Negotiate exit clauses that allow you to terminate the agreement if the terms of the agreement are not met.

Conclusion

Negotiating an Oracle ULA can be a complex and challenging process. Still, with the right approach, it is possible to secure a favorable agreement that meets your organization’s needs. By preparing for the negotiation process, engaging an Oracle licensing expert, and focusing on key negotiating points, you can increase your chances of success and secure the best possible terms for your organization.

What is an Oracle ULA Audit?

An Oracle ULA audit is a process where Oracle verifies that a customer complies with the terms of their ULA agreement. During the audit, Oracle will use auditors, tools, and processes to review the customer’s software deployments and determine if they comply with the agreement’s terms.

Steps to Prepare for an Oracle ULA Audit

1. Review the ULA agreement: Take the time to review the ULA agreement and understand the terms and conditions of the agreement. This includes the deployment rights, the number of licenses, and the terms of the renewal process.
2. Monitor deployments: Regularly monitor your software deployments to ensure that they comply with the terms of the ULA.
3. Run Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts: Run Oracle LMS scripts to help identify any potential compliance issues and take steps to address them.
4. Conduct an internal audit: Conduct an internal audit as part of the certification planning process. This can include running Oracle audit scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert analyze the results before sharing the data with Oracle.

Oracle ULA Best Practices: Maximizing Your Investment

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a long-term licensing agreement between a customer and Oracle Corporation. The ULA allows the customer to license a specified set of Oracle software products for a set period, usually three to five years. Adopting best practices in managing your Oracle ULA can help maximize your investment and avoid potential risks.

Best Practice #1: Review the ULA Agreement Regularly

One of the most important best practices in managing your Oracle ULA is regularly reviewing the agreement. This includes understanding the terms and conditions of the agreement, such as the deployment rights, the number of licenses, and the terms of the renewal process. Regularly reviewing the agreement can help you stay up-to-date on any changes and ensure that you comply with the terms of the ULA.

Best Practice #2: Monitor Deployments Regularly

Another important best practice in managing your Oracle ULA is monitoring your software deployments regularly. This includes ensuring that your deployments comply with the terms of the ULA, such as the geographic regions where the software can be deployed. Regular monitoring of your deployments can help you avoid potential risks and ensure that you comply with the terms of the ULA.

Best Practice #3: Run Oracle License Management Service (LMS) Scripts

Running Oracle LMS scripts is another best practice in managing your Oracle ULA. The scripts can help identify potential compliance issues and allow you to address them before they become a problem. This can help ensure that you comply with the terms of the ULA and avoid potential risks.

Best Practice #4: Engage an Oracle Licensing Expert

Engaging an Oracle licensing expert is another best practice in managing your Oracle ULA. An Oracle licensing expert can provide valuable insight and guidance on how to ensure compliance with the terms of the ULA and help you understand the terms of the agreement, and identify potential risks.

Best Practice #5: Conduct an Internal Audit

Conducting an internal audit is another best practice in managing your Oracle ULA. This can include running Oracle audit scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert analyze the results before sharing the data with Oracle. Conducting an internal audit can help you identify any potential issues and allow you to address them before an Oracle ULA audit.

Conclusion

Adopting best practices in managing your Oracle ULA can help maximize your investment and avoid potential risks. By regularly reviewing the ULA agreement, monitoring deployments, running Oracle LMS scripts, engaging an Oracle licensing expert, and conducting an internal audit, you can increase your chances of success and ensure that you comply with the terms of the ULA.

What is an Oracle ULA renewal?

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) renewal is the process of continuing to use Oracle software under the terms of an existing Unlimited License Agreement after the initial term of the agreement has expired. Oracle ULAs are long-term contracts that allow organizations to use Oracle software on an unlimited basis for a fixed period of time, typically three to five years. At the end of the initial term of the ULA, the organization has the option to renew the agreement for an additional period of time.
During the renewal process, the organization will negotiate the terms of the renewal with Oracle, including the length of the renewal period, the fees for the renewal, and any changes to the terms of the agreement. The organization will also need to review and update their inventory of Oracle software to ensure that they are in compliance with the terms of the ULA.
It is important for organizations to carefully consider their needs and budget when deciding whether to renew an Oracle ULA. Renewing an Oracle ULA can provide long-term cost savings and flexibility, but it may also require a significant upfront investment.

Oracle ULA certification FAQ

Oracle ULA Pricing

The pricing for an Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific Oracle products and options included in the agreement, the length of the ULA term, and the organization’s specific needs and requirements.

Oracle ULAs are typically priced on a per-processor basis, with discounts available for larger processor counts. The exact cost will depend on the specific Oracle products and options included in the agreement, as well as the number of processors covered by the ULA.

In addition to the per-processor fees, Oracle ULAs may also include fees for support and maintenance, training, and other services. The organization may also be required to pay fees for any additional licenses or options that are added to the ULA during the term of the agreement.

It is important for organizations to carefully consider their needs and budget when negotiating the terms of an Oracle ULA. While ULAs can provide long-term cost savings and flexibility, they may also require a significant upfront investment. Organizations should review their current and projected Oracle software usage, as well as the terms and fees of the ULA, to determine if a ULA is the right fit for their needs.

Oracle ULA Problems and Solutions

• To avoid compliance issues, running Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert review the results before sharing them with Oracle.
• To avoid issues with deploying Oracle software on servers outside the territory contract, asking for worldwide territory rights when entering an Oracle ULA is recommended.
• To ensure all subsidiaries can use the Oracle ULA software, negotiate terms and conditions to allow for additions to the list of subsidiaries during the agreement’s lifetime.
• To avoid ULA renewal due to deployments of non-ULA software, conduct an internal audit and run Oracle audit scripts with the help of an independent Oracle licensing expert.
• To avoid being locked into a ULA for unused products, choose products included in the ULA and perform an internal Oracle licensing review without involving Oracle auditors.
• For companies undergoing frequent changes through mergers and acquisitions, it is important to keep track of which subsidiaries are using the ULA software and ensure changes are listed in the ULA contract.

Recommendations

• It is recommended to review Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms as early as possible, ideally six months before ULA expiration.
• Consult with research firms such as Gartner or independent licensing experts for a successful exit from Oracle ULA.

Oracle ULA to Public cloud

It is possible for an organization that has an Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) to use Oracle software in a public cloud environment. However, there are a few things to consider when using Oracle software in the cloud under an ULA:

1. Compliance with the ULA: The organization will need to ensure that their use of Oracle software in the cloud is in compliance with the terms of the ULA. This may include keeping track of the number of Oracle licenses deployed in the cloud and the servers and devices on which the software is installed.
2. Cloud provider’s terms of service: The organization will also need to consider the terms of service of the cloud provider and ensure that their use of Oracle software in the cloud is consistent with those terms.
3. License mobility: Some Oracle ULAs include provisions for license mobility, which allow the organization to move their Oracle licenses between on-premises and cloud environments without incurring additional fees. However, not all ULAs include this provision, and the organization may need to purchase additional licenses or pay fees to use Oracle software in the cloud.
   It is important for organizations to carefully review the terms of their ULA and the terms of service of the cloud provider to ensure that they are using Oracle software in the cloud in a compliant and cost-effective manner.

What Happens When an Oracle ULA Ends

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a license agreement that allows customers to deploy Oracle software in various cloud environments. However, like any contract, the ULA has a set term for the customer to use the software. Once the ULA term has ended, the customer may face certain risks and challenges if they do not renew the agreement or make alternative arrangements. In this article, we will discuss what happens when an Oracle ULA ends and the potential risks and solutions for customers facing this situation.

Risks of Not Renewing an Oracle ULA

One of the biggest risks for customers who do not renew their Oracle ULA is the possibility of having to purchase licenses for any deployments in a public cloud that they do not have the right to claim under the terms of the ULA. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if many Oracle licenses were deployed in the public cloud. For example, if an Oracle ULA does not allow for the certification of cloud deployments and 250 processor licenses of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition were deployed in AWS or Azure, the customer would be required to purchase licenses for those environments at a list price value of $11,875,000 on the day the ULA expires.

Compliance Issues

Another potential risk for customers whose ULA has ended is compliance issues that may arise from deploying Oracle software that is not included in the ULA contract. These deployments may be discovered during the ULA certification process, resulting in compliance issues and the need to purchase additional licenses. To avoid this problem, running Oracle License Management Service (LMS) scripts is recommended, and an independent Oracle licensing expert reviews the results before sharing any data with Oracle.

Territory Deployment Rights

Customers who have not renewed their ULA may also face issues when deploying Oracle software on servers located in countries that are not included in their territory contract. For example, if a customer is running servers in France but only has territory rights in the US, they may need to purchase additional licenses to use the Oracle software on the French servers. To avoid this issue, asking for worldwide territory rights when entering an Oracle ULA is recommended. This can help ensure that the customer has the necessary rights to deploy the software on servers in any location.

Subsidiaries and Customer Definition

An Oracle ULA includes a list of subsidiaries that are included in the customer definition and are, therefore, able to use Oracle ULA software. If a subsidiary is not on this list, it cannot use the software. This list may change over time as new subsidiaries are acquired, or it may not include all relevant legal entities when the ULA is initially entered into. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to negotiate the terms and conditions of the ULA and ensure that the customer has the right to add to the list of subsidiaries during the agreement’s lifetime.

Oracle ULA Certification Process

An Oracle ULA will typically conclude with an Oracle license audit, during which Oracle will use the same auditors, tools (such as Oracle license audit scripts), and processes as they do for regular audits. This is because they often find deployments of non-ULA software during the certification process, which can lead to a costly ULA renewal. To avoid this issue, conducting your own internal audit is recommended as part of the certification planning process. This can include running Oracle audit scripts and having an independent Oracle licensing expert analyze the results before sharing the data with Oracle. This can help identify any potential issues and allow the customer to address them before the audit.

Best Practices for Exiting an Oracle ULA

It is generally recommended to review your Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms as early as possible to have the most success when exiting the ULA. Best practices suggest starting the process of reviewing Oracle licensing at least six months before the ULA expires. Consulting with research firms such as Gartner or other independent licensing experts can also be helpful in enabling a successful exit from the Oracle unlimited license agreement.

Another best practice is to carefully choose the products you include in the ULA and ensure that they are products you actually need. Additionally, it may be helpful to perform an internal Oracle licensing review without involving Oracle auditors to identify any potential issues and address them before they become a problem.

For companies that undergo frequent changes through mergers and acquisitions, it is important to keep track of which subsidiaries use the ULA software. If any changes are made to the subsidiaries using the software during the ULA term, it is important to ensure that these changes are listed in the ULA contract. However, it is not uncommon for this step to be overlooked or for the necessary terms for subsidiaries entering the company group to be overlooked during negotiations. This can lead to issues with compliance and the use of the ULA software.

In conclusion, the end of an Oracle ULA can pose several risks and challenges for customers. 

To minimize these risks, it is recommended to follow best practices such as early review of Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms, consulting with independent licensing experts, and conducting internal audits. By taking these steps, customers can ensure a successful exit from their Oracle ULA and avoid costly license purchases or compliance issues.

Oracle ULA FAQ

If your company has an active Oracle ULA and are looking for assistance on how to exit or renew, while maintaining 100% license compliance. Contact us to discuss our Oracle ULA services.