title: J2ME and (open source) applet signing for Mobile Devices (esp. phones) - what can I do?
body: <p>I've just discovered J2ME and I love the possibilities that it presents.  I'm currently working on a simple application and I'd like to maybe release it as an open-source project sometime in the future.</p>
  
  <p>As part of my research into J2ME and mobile devices, I looked into applet signing.  It seems that people who want to create applets for free are caught between and rock and an awful shite-place.  Applet signing is extremely expensive and extremely convoluted - and the expense can't be justified when coding for free.</p>
  
  <p>There are a huge number of J2ME compatible devices out there - I think it would be a shame to have to ignore them, and just wait patiently for the next wave (e.g. Android).  </p>
  
  <p>I was wondering if other people have any ideas about ways to approach this problem?</p>
  
  <p><strong>UPDATE: I found this blog article which summarises the problem for those interested... <a href="http://javablog.co.uk/2007/08/09/how-midlet-signing-is-killing-j2me/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://javablog.co.uk/2007/08/09/how-midlet-signing-is-killing-j2me/</a></strong></p>
  
  <p><strong>I thought about setting up a non-profit umbrella organisation for open-source J2ME developers who want a VeriSign certificate (as a certificate can sign code an unlimited amount of times).  I would aim to raise the $500 and then enable group members to share the purchased certificate.  Had a quick chat to a VeriSign rep and they thought the idea could work (as long as  the organisation was registered as a legal entity).</strong></p>
  
  <p><strong>However, since handset manufacturers now seem to be moving to support <em>only</em> UTI root certificates (which you can only get through the 'Java verified' programme) - this might not be as useful as I thought it could be... if anyone has any ideas would be great to hear them.</strong></p>