There are different groups with different cultures especially since many of them arrived through acquisitions. Including the Java team which came from Sun.
Did those Java folks also decide to start extorting customers?
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/12/16/oracle_targets_java...
If the answer is yes - then they're no better than the Oracle folks they work for. If the answer is no, then they clearly have no say in what REALLY happens when it comes to Oracle's decision making.
They made their implementation of Java a commercial product and have been supporting OpenJDK for those that don't want to purchase it. They are are well within their right to sue companies who are illegally using a commercial product without a license. Just like Microsoft et al regularly sues companies who are pirating their software.
And no the developers who are responsible for Java are not lawyers in their spare time.
Not trying to be snarky, but you've never worked with Oracle, have you? Their modus operandi is to literally make whatever it is they want, then kick it out the door and tell everyone: look at what we did, deal with it. They have absolutely no idea how to collaborate. With partners or customers. They've had 20+ years of "our way or the highway". The house Larry built.