For cases where the java platform or webstart are using connections in the application VM for background downloads etc. it is desirable to have seperate Cookie sets from the VM wide default cookie handler. An accessor to allow setting the cookie handler to be used for a connection would be very useful. In general, all class defaults and system property tunables must be readable and settable by instance accessor methods. Every singleton or class default should have accessors for tuning it in a specific connection. Cookie handler is a good example of this.
See A360 ID 552683; JDK8/8/Network and File System. Entry "Add ability to associate a Cookie Handler with an individual connection."