Open Source frameworks need a useable Oracle XE CI Image

[deusaquilus]

I am a developer of an open source framework that is desperately trying to support Oracle DB despite multiple roadblocks that Oracle has placed in front of me. Over the past 24 hours, you have issued DMCA takedowns of multiple images used by open source frameworks that are trying to support your database, so that your actual clients who pay you, can use your database in production environments with their OS tech stacks. For example, Lightbend's official image of an FRM framework called Slick relies on an image that you just took down: slick/slick#1993. I am trying to build Oracle support in a similar framework that is also based on an image that you removed: sath89/oracle-12c. I've started a discussion of how to proceed here: zio/zio-quill#1295.

My question is the following:

• Is there any possibility that we can have a 18c docker image that will not require a DockerHub login?
  Or:
• Is there any possibility that can we can have an official 12c image that does not require a DockerHub login?

Oracle's current 12c docker image is unuseable to Open Source frameworks using public CIs because:

1. It requires a private DockerHub account.
2. Private DockerHub credentials are impossible to use in public CIs (e.g. Travis) for any external contributor pull request (see here and here) because this is an security-impasse.
3. As a result of this, most Open Source frameworks have opted to use 3rd party DockerHub images which you are now taking down.

We really, really want to be able to support Oracle database in our products but we need a way to test them without having to enter private credentials. If DockerHub is a impossibility, maybe the solution is to have some kind of private Oracle Docker repo that only Travis/CircleCI can have access to.
Can there be some sort of dialogue about this???

[gvenzl]

Hi @deusaquilus, thanks for notifying us about this. I have started investigating as to why the 11g XE image was taken down. Note, the 12c image was in violation with the license agreement that states that it is not allowed to redistribute the software.

We are exploring the possibility of having official XE images on Docker Hub going forward. So far there is no decision nor conclusion on that yet.

We approached Travis CI over a year ago wanting to make Oracle Database available to them for exactly that purpose. Unfortunately we have never heard back. We are more than happy to revisit that or perhaps with CircleCI. Do you happen to have any relationship with any of these CI companies so that we can start such a dialogue?

[deusaquilus]

Hi @gvenzl, thanks for looking into this issue! Any official 18c XE DockerHub image would work for me so long as it does not require DockerHub credentials. I really hope this becomes a reality!

[Djelibeybi]

I have changed the title of this issue as the admins of this GitHub repo have no control (or influence) over any legal action taken by Oracle, including the issuing of DMCA requests. I'd rather we focus on trying to get frameworks the images they need instead.

[deusaquilus]

@Djelibeybi It's a overly-sensational title, I agree. I'm just really hoping that all the open-source frameworks relying on 12c+ features have somewhere to go once the containers they rely on are taken down. I understand that "redistributing binaries" is a legal issue which entitles Oracle to do DMCAs but it would be a really significant improvement on external developer-relations to have a big message somewhere saying: "here's something you can realistically use instead."

[fkorotkov]

Hey @gvenzl,

CTO of Cirrus CI here. Would love to start a dialog with you about adding Oracle DBs support out of the box to Cirrus CI without even a need for an authentication into a private registry. Should fit pretty well into additional containers feature. 👌

If interested, shoot an email at fedor@cirruslabs.org. 🙌

[BanzaiMan]

Hi, @gvenzl,

We approached Travis CI over a year ago wanting to make Oracle Database available to them for exactly that purpose. Unfortunately we have never heard back.

I am sorry about this bad experience. I searched for the record, but haven't found one yet. If you are up for it, we would love to discuss this more. Please email us at support@travis-ci.com.

Again, I apologize for the earlier lack of response.

We look forward to hearing from you.

[gvenzl]

Thanks @fkorotkov and @BanzaiMan, I have just reached out to both of you individually via email.

[deusaquilus]

@gvenzl As far as I understand 18c XE allows binary redistribution. Is this correct? Can I post a 18c XE image on DockerHub without having to be concerned about a potential DMCA?

[deusaquilus]

@gvenzl and @Djelibeybi. I am asking this question again. According to what I am reading here:
https://blogs.oracle.com/imc/oracle-database-18c-xe-available-for-everyone (and from what the license agreement here seems to be saying). Oracle 18c-xe binaries can be redistributed. If I upload a 18c-xe image to dockerhub based on fuzziebrain's image (here). Can I reasonably expect not to get DMCA'd???

[ttrahan]

@gvenzl Head of BD here for CircleCI. We're also happy to have this discussion with you. Please reach out to me at tomt@circleci.com to get started. Looking forward to it!