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1 mattl 1.52 <!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" -->
2    
3     <title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title>
4 johnsu01 1.45
5 mattl 1.55 <meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" />
6     <meta http-equiv="Description" content="Since 1983, developing the free Unix style operating system GNU, so that computer users can have the freedom to share and improve the software they use." />
7 mattl 1.52 <link rel="alternate" title="What's New" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/whatsnew.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
8     <link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" />
9 johnsu01 1.45
10 mattl 1.52 <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
11 wkotwica 1.24
12 mattl 1.52 <h1>The Free Software Definition</h1>
13 webcvs 1.1
14 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
15 sinuhe 1.48 We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must
16     be true about a particular software program for it to be considered
17     free software.
18     </p>
19    
20 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
21 sinuhe 1.48 <q>Free software</q> is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand
22     the concept, you should think of <q>free</q> as in <q>free speech,</q>
23     not as in <q>free beer.</q>
24     </p>
25    
26 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
27 sinuhe 1.48 Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,
28     study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to
29     four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:
30     </p>
31 webcvs 1.1
32 wkotwica 1.24 <ul>
33     <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
34 sinuhe 1.48 <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to
35     your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition
36     for this.
37     </li>
38 wkotwica 1.24 <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
39 sinuhe 1.48 (freedom 2).
40     </li>
41 wkotwica 1.24 <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements
42 sinuhe 1.48 to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).
43     Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
44     </li>
45 wkotwica 1.24 </ul>
46 webcvs 1.1
47 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
48 sinuhe 1.48 A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus,
49     you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
50     modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
51     <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these
52     things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
53     for permission.
54     </p>
55    
56 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
57 webcvs 1.1 You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
58     privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
59     exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to
60 sinuhe 1.48 notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
61     </p>
62    
63 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
64 sinuhe 1.48 The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person
65     or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of
66     overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
67     with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is
68     the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
69     purpose; you as a user are free to run a program for your purposes,
70     and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
71     for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
72 rms 1.46 </p>
73 sinuhe 1.48
74 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
75 webcvs 1.1 The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
76 rms 1.5 forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
77 sinuhe 1.48 unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
78     for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is ok if there
79     is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
80     (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
81     freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
82     make them.
83     </p>
84    
85 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
86 webcvs 1.1 In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved
87     versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of
88     the program. Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary
89 sinuhe 1.48 condition for free software.
90     </p>
91    
92 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
93 sinuhe 1.48 One important way to modify a program is by merging in available
94     free subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you
95     cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be the
96     copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too restrictive
97     to qualify as free.
98     </p>
99    
100 novalis 1.40 <p>
101 webcvs 1.1 In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as
102     long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the
103 sinuhe 1.48 power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give cause,
104     the software is not free.
105     </p>
106    
107 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
108 webcvs 1.1 However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
109     software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
110     freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
111     when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
112     other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with
113 sinuhe 1.48 the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
114     </p>
115    
116     <p>
117     You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
118     obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies,
119     you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
120     <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
121     </p>
122    
123 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
124 sinuhe 1.48 <q>Free software</q> does not mean <q>non-commercial.</q> A free
125     program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
126     and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software
127     is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
128     </p>
129    
130 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
131 webcvs 1.1 Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they
132 sinuhe 1.48 don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions, or
133     your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. Rules that <q>if
134     you make your version available in this way, you must make it available in
135     that way also</q> can be acceptable too, on the same condition. (Note that
136     such a rule still leaves you the choice of whether to publish your version
137     at all.) Rules that require release of source code to the users for
138     versions that you put into public use are also acceptable. It is also
139     acceptable for the license to require that, if you have distributed a
140     modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
141     must send one, or that you identify yourself on your modifications.
142 rms 1.39 </p>
143 sinuhe 1.48
144 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
145 sinuhe 1.48 In the GNU project, we use
146     <q><a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a></q>
147     to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But
148 wkotwica 1.24 <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted
149 sinuhe 1.48 free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why
150     <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is better to use copyleft</a>,
151     but if your program is non-copylefted free software, we can still
152     use it.
153     </p>
154    
155 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
156     See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>
157 sinuhe 1.48 for a description of how <q>free software,</q> <q>copylefted software</q>
158     and other categories of software relate to each other.
159     </p>
160    
161     <p>
162     Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
163     and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
164     programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to
165     eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
166     is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program. In this
167     way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
168     jurisdictions of these governments.
169     </p>
170    
171 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
172 sinuhe 1.48 Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
173     on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a
174     copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
175     is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
176     (though this does happen occasionally). However, some free software
177     licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
178     range of possible restrictions. That means there are many possible ways
179     such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and non-free.
180     </p>
181    
182 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
183 rms 1.41 We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen. If a
184     contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
185     copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
186 sinuhe 1.48 legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
187     it is non-free.
188     </p>
189    
190 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
191 sinuhe 1.48 When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
192     like <q>give away</q> or <q>for free,</q> because those terms imply that
193     the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such
194     as <q>piracy</q> embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See
195     <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
196     are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have
197     a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
198     <q>free software</q></a> into various languages.
199     </p>
200    
201 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
202 webcvs 1.2 Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
203 sinuhe 1.48 definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide
204     whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license,
205     we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their
206     spirit as well as the precise words. If a license includes unconscionable
207     restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue
208     in these criteria. Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue
209     that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
210     before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable. When we reach
211     a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
212     it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
213     </p>
214    
215     <p>
216     If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
217     software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
218     of licenses</a>. If the license you are concerned with is not
219     listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
220     <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
221     </p>
222    
223     <p>
224 novalis 1.29 If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF
225 sinuhe 1.48 by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free software
226     licenses means increased work for users in understanding the licenses;
227     we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software license that
228     meets your needs.
229 novalis 1.29 </p>
230 webcvs 1.2
231 novalis 1.29 <p>
232     If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
233     help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license
234     and avoid various practical problems.
235     </p>
236 sinuhe 1.48
237 rms 1.57 <h2 id="open-source">Beyond Software</h2>
238    
239     <p>
240     <a href="free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, for the same
241     reasons that software must be free, and because the manuals are in effect
242     part of the software.</p>
243     </p>
244    
245     <p>
246     The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
247     practical use -- that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
248     such as educational works and reference
249     works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org"> Wikipedia </a> is the best known
250     example.
251     </p>
252    
253     <p>
254     Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
255     has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
256     free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
257     </p>
258    
259 karl 1.56 <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
260 webcvs 1.1
261 wkotwica 1.24 <p>
262 sinuhe 1.48 Another group has started using the term <q>open source</q> to mean
263 rms 1.57 something close (but not identical) to <q>free software.</q> We
264     prefer the term <q>free software</q> because, once you have heard that
265     it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.
266     The word <q>open</q> <a href="open-source-misses-the-point.html">
267     never refers to freedom </a>.
268 sinuhe 1.48 </p>
269 wkotwica 1.24
270 mattl 1.52 <p><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></p>
271 sinuhe 1.48
272 mattl 1.52 </div>
273 alex_muntada 1.32
274 chstoneliu 1.30
275 mattl 1.52 <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
276 wkotwica 1.24
277 mattl 1.52 <div id="footer">
278 wkotwica 1.24
279     <p>
280     Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
281     <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.
282 ramprasadb 1.51 There are also <a href="http://www.fsf.org/about/contact.html">other ways to contact</a>
283 wkotwica 1.24 the FSF.
284     <br />
285     Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to
286     <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.
287     </p>
288    
289     <p>
290     Please see the
291     <a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations
292     README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting
293     translations of this article.
294     </p>
295    
296     <p>
297 ramprasadb 1.51 Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
298     2005, 2006 <br /> Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St,
299     Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA
300 wkotwica 1.24 <br />
301 webcvs 1.1 Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is
302 wkotwica 1.24 permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is
303     preserved.
304     </p>
305    
306     <p>
307 webcvs 1.1 Updated:
308 paulv 1.3 <!-- timestamp start -->
309 rms 1.58 $Date: 2007/03/10 15:26:30 $ $Author: rms $
310 paulv 1.3 <!-- timestamp end -->
311 wkotwica 1.24 </p>
312     </div>
313 rms46 1.10
314 mattl 1.52 <div id="translations">
315     <h4>Translations of this page</h4>
316    
317     <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->
318     <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->
319     <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->
320     <!-- English is. If you add a new language here, please -->
321     <!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->
322     <!-- - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->
323     <!-- - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
324     <!-- one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
325     <!-- - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
326     <!-- to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
327     <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->
328     <!-- http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->
329 mattl 1.54 <ul class="translations-list">
330 mattl 1.52 <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a> <!-- Arabic --></li>
331     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a> <!-- Bulgarian --></li>
332     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a> <!-- Catalan --></li>
333    
334     <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
335     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>
336    
337     <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
338     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a></li>
339    
340     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a> <!-- Czech --></li>
341     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a> <!-- Danish --></li>
342     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a> <!-- German --></li>
343     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a> </li>
344     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a> <!--Greek--></li>
345     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a> <!-- Spanish --></li>
346     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a></li>
347     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a></li>
348     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a> <!-- French --></li>
349     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a> <!-- Galician --></li>
350     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a> <!-- Hebrew --></li>
351     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a> <!-- Croatian --></li>
352     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a> <!-- Indonesian --></li>
353     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a> <!-- Italian --></li>
354     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a> <!-- Japanese --></li>
355     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a> <!-- Korean --></li>
356     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a> <!-- Hungarian --></li>
357     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a> <!-- Dutch --></li>
358     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a> <!-- Norwegian --></li>
359     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a> <!-- Polish --></li>
360     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a> <!-- Portuguese --></li>
361     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a> <!-- Romanian --></li>
362     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian --></li>
363     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a> <!--- Slovenian --></li>
364     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian --></li>
365     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a> <!-- Tagalog --></li>
366     <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a> <!-- Turkish --></li>
367     </ul>
368     </div>
369    
370     </div>
371    
372 wkotwica 1.24 </body>
373     </html>

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