code: public static boolean isPeriodActive(final Date startDate, final Date endDate) {
  		if (startDate == null && endDate == null) {
  			return true;
  		}
  		if (startDate == null) {
  			throw new JKException("START_DATE_CAN_NOT_BE_NULL");
  		}
  		if (endDate == null) {
  			throw new JKException("END_DATE_CAN_NOT_BE_NULL");
  		}
  		if (compareTwoDates(startDate, endDate).equals(CompareDates.DATE1_GREATER_THAN_DATE2)) {
  			throw new JKException("START_DATE_MUST_BE_BEFORE_END_DATE");
  		}
  		final boolean startLessThanCurrent = compareTwoDates(startDate, getSystemDate()).equals(CompareDates.DATE1_LESS_THAN_DATE2);
  		final boolean endGreaterThanCurrent = compareTwoDates(endDate, getSystemDate()).equals(CompareDates.DATE1_GREATER_THAN_DATE2);
  		return startLessThanCurrent && endGreaterThanCurrent;
  	}
docs: Checks if is period active.
  
  @param startDate the start date
  @param endDate   the end date
  @return true, if is period active