Apache has left the Java Community Process, although it's very unclear as to why. For instance, they claim they've resigned because the community has failed to support the JCP as an open specifications process. In reality, they've quit because Sun and now Oracle have not agreed to give them the Java compatibility test kit (Java TCK) for free. Nothing has changed in terms of the the openness of Java or the JCP process; in fact, it's only gotten more open as Sun created the OpenJDK and released it as GPL a few years ago.

It's unfortunate to see Apache leave, as I'm a fan of what they do, but you cannot expect one entity to dictate to others when and how to give their software away. That's my opinion. Read the press release here to form your own.

-EJB