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<H3>The Free Software Definition</H3> |
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We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
<title>The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)</title> |
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true about a particular software program for it to be considered |
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``free software''. |
<meta http-equiv="Keywords" content="GNU, FSF, Free Software Foundation, Linux, Emacs, GCC, Unix, Free Software, Operating System, GNU Kernel, HURD, GNU HURD, Hurd" /> |
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<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." /> |
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<link rel="alternate" title="New Free Software" href="http://www.gnu.org/rss/quagga.rss" type="application/rss+xml" /> |
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``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
<h2>The Free Software Definition</h2> |
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the concept, you should think of ``free speech'', not ``free beer.'' |
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<P> |
<p> |
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``Free software'' refers to the users' freedom to run, copy, |
We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be |
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distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, |
true about a particular software program for it to be considered free |
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it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: |
software. From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it. |
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<P> |
If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see |
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the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information. |
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<UL> |
</p> |
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<LI>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). |
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<LI>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs |
<p> |
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(freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand |
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<LI>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” |
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not as in “free beer.” |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, |
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study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the |
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program's users have the four essential freedoms: |
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</p> |
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<ul> |
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<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li> |
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<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it |
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does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source |
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code is a precondition for this. |
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</li> |
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<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor |
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(freedom 2). |
(freedom 2). |
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<LI>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements |
</li> |
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to the public, so that the whole community benefits. |
<li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions |
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(freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole |
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</UL> |
community a chance to benefit from your changes. |
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Access to the source code is a precondition for this. |
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<P> |
</li> |
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A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. |
</ul> |
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Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or |
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without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for |
<p> |
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distribution, to <A HREF="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</A>. Being |
A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, |
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free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not |
you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without |
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have to ask or pay for permission. |
modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to |
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<a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>. Being free to do these |
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things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay |
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for permission to do so. |
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</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them |
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privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they |
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exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to |
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notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. |
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</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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The freedom to use a program means the freedom for any kind of person |
The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person |
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or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind |
or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of |
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of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently |
overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it |
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with the developer or any other specific entity. |
with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is |
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the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em> |
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purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes, |
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and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it |
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for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her. |
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</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable |
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forms of the program, as well as source code. (It is ok if there is |
forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and |
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no way to produce a binary or executable form, but people must have |
unmodified versions. (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary |
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the freedom to redistribute such forms should they find a way to make |
for conveniently installable free operating systems.) It is OK if there |
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them.) |
is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program |
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(since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the |
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<P> |
freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to |
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In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved |
make them. |
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versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of |
</p> |
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the program. Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary |
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condition for free software. |
<p> |
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In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the |
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<P> |
freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as |
access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of |
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long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the |
source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated |
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power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give |
“source code” is not real source code and does not count |
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cause, the software is not free. |
as source code. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of |
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the original. If the program is delivered in a product designed to |
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run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours — a |
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practice known as “tivoization” or “lockdown”, |
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or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as “secure |
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boot” — freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather |
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than a practical freedom. This is not sufficient. In other words, |
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these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are |
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compiled from is free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free |
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subroutines and modules. If the program's license says that you |
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cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module — for instance, if it |
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requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add — then the |
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license is too restrictive to qualify as free. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions |
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as free software. A free license may also permit other ways of |
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releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be |
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a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license. However, a |
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license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify |
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as a free license. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and |
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irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the |
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software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change |
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its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the |
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software is not free. |
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</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free |
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software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central |
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freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that |
freedoms. For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that |
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when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny |
when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny |
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other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
other people the central freedoms. This rule does not conflict with |
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the central freedoms; rather it protects them. |
the central freedoms; rather it protects them. |
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</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you |
“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial.” A free |
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may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got |
program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, |
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your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the |
and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software |
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software, even to <A HREF="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</A>. |
is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. |
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You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have |
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<P> |
obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, |
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``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''. A free program |
you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to |
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must be available for commercial use. Commercial development of free |
<a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>. |
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software is no longer unusual; such programs are free commercial |
</p> |
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software. |
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<p> |
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<P> |
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. |
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Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they |
If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that |
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don't effectively block your freedom to release modified versions. |
someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom. |
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Rules that ``if you make the program available in this way, you must |
</p> |
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make it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the |
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same condition. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
<p> |
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whether to publish the program or not.) |
However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, |
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if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified |
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<P> |
versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately. |
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In the GNU project, we use <A HREF="/copyleft/copyleft.html"> |
Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the |
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``copyleft''</A> to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your |
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<A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware"> |
modifications as yours. As long as these requirements are not so |
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non-copylefted free software</A> also exists. We believe there are |
burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your |
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important reasons why <A HREF="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is |
changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to |
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better to use copyleft</A>, but if your program is non-copylefted free |
the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more. |
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software, we can still use it. |
</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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See <A HREF="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software |
Rules that “if you make your version available in this way, you |
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(18k characters)</A> |
must make it available in that way also” can be acceptable too, |
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for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and |
on the same condition. An example of such an acceptable rule is one |
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other categories of software relate to each other. |
saying that if you have distributed a |
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modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you |
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<P> |
must send one. (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of |
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Sometimes government <A NAME="exportcontrol">export control |
whether to distribute your version at all.) Rules that require release |
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regulations</A> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to |
of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use |
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distribute copies of programs internationally. Software developers do |
are also acceptable. |
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not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but |
</p> |
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what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of |
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use of the program. In this way, the restrictions will not affect |
<p> |
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activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments. |
In the GNU project, we use |
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<a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> |
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<P> |
to protect these freedoms legally for everyone. But |
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When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like |
<a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted |
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``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the |
free software</a> also exists. We believe there are important reasons why |
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issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such as |
<a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>, |
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``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See <A |
but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically |
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HREF="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases |
ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how “free software,” “copylefted software” and other categories of software relate to each other.) |
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that are Worth Avoiding</A> for a discussion of these terms. |
</p> |
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We also have a list of <A HREF="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations |
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of "free software"</A> into various languages. |
<p> |
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Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a> |
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<P> |
and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of |
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programs internationally. Software developers do not have the power to |
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eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do |
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is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program. In this |
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way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the |
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jurisdictions of these governments. Thus, free software licenses |
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must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of |
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any of the essential freedoms. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits |
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on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright. If a |
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copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it |
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is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated |
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(though this does happen occasionally). However, some free software |
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licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger |
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range of possible restrictions. That means there are many possible ways |
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such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen. If a |
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contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that |
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copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as |
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legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude |
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it is nonfree. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms |
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like “give away” or “for free,” because those terms imply that |
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the issue is about price, not freedom. Some common terms such |
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as “piracy” embody opinions we hope you won't endorse. See |
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<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that |
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are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms. We also have |
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a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of |
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“free software”</a> into various languages. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software |
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definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To |
definition require careful thought for their interpretation. To decide |
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decide whether a specific software license qualifies as a free |
whether a specific software license qualifies as a free software license, |
| 242 |
software license, we judge it based on these criteria to determine |
we judge it based on these criteria to determine whether it fits their |
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whether it fits their spirit as well as the precise words. If a |
spirit as well as the precise words. If a license includes unconscionable |
| 244 |
license includes unconscionable restrictions, we reject it, even if we |
restrictions, we reject it, even if we did not anticipate the issue |
| 245 |
did not anticipate the issue in these criteria. Sometimes a license |
in these criteria. Sometimes a license requirement raises an issue |
| 246 |
requirement raises an issue that calls for extensive thought before we |
that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer, |
| 247 |
can decide if the requirement is acceptable, including discussions |
before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable. When we reach |
| 248 |
with a lawyer. When we reach a conclusion, we sometimes update these |
a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make |
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criteria to make it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't |
it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify. |
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qualify. |
</p> |
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<P> |
<p> |
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If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free |
| 254 |
If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a |
software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list |
| 255 |
free software license, see our <A |
of licenses</a>. If the license you are concerned with is not |
| 256 |
HREF="/philosophy/license-list.html"> list of licenses </A>. If the |
listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at |
| 257 |
license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us |
<a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org"><licensing@gnu.org></a>. |
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about it by sending us email at <A |
</p> |
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HREF="mailto:licensing@gnu.org"><licensing@gnu.org></A>. |
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<p> |
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<HR> |
If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the |
| 262 |
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Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The |
| 263 |
<H4><A HREF="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</A></H4> |
proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work |
| 264 |
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for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you |
| 265 |
<P> |
find an existing free software license that meets your needs. |
| 266 |
Another group has started using the term <A |
</p> |
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HREF="free-software-for-freedom.html"> open source</A> to mean |
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something close (but not identical) to "free software". |
<p> |
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If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our |
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<HR> |
help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license |
| 271 |
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and avoid various practical problems. |
| 272 |
Return to <A HREF="/home.html">GNU's home page</A>. |
</p> |
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<P> |
|
| 274 |
FSF & GNU inquiries & questions to |
<h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2> |
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<A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>. |
|
| 276 |
Other <A HREF="/home.html#ContactInfo">ways to contact</A> the FSF. |
<p> |
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<P> |
<a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>, |
| 278 |
Comments on these web pages to |
for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the |
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<A HREF="mailto:webmasters@www.gnu.org"><EM>webmasters@www.gnu.org</EM></A>, |
manuals are in effect part of the software. |
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send other questions to |
</p> |
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<A HREF="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><EM>gnu@gnu.org</EM></A>. |
|
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<P> |
<p> |
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Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc., |
The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of |
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59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111, USA |
practical use — that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge, |
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<P> |
such as educational works and reference |
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Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is |
works. <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known |
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permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.<P> |
example. |
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</p> |
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<p> |
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Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software |
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has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/"> |
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free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works. |
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</p> |
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<h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2> |
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<p> |
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Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean |
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something close (but not identical) to “free software.” We |
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prefer the term “free software” because, once you have heard that |
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it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom. The |
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word “open” <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html"> |
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never refers to freedom</a>. |
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</p> |
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<h2 id="History">History</h2> |
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<p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to |
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clarify it. Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with |
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links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review |
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them if they like.</p> |
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<ul> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.103&r2=1.104">Version |
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1.104</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point |
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(already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified |
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version for your computing.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.91&r2=1.92">Version |
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1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.89&r2=1.90">Version |
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1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies |
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of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate |
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in someone else's development project.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.88&r2=1.89">Version |
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1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as |
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|
free software.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.79&r2=1.80">Version |
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1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical; |
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i.e., no tivoization.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.76&r2=1.77">Version |
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1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are |
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unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete |
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replacement.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.73&r2=1.74">Version |
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1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated |
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in some places but not reflected everywhere: |
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<ul> |
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<li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can |
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substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release. |
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Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li> |
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<li>The right to merge in existing modules |
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refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li> |
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<li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li> |
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<li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li> |
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</ul> |
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</li> |
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|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.56&r2=1.57">Version |
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1.57</a>: Add "Beyond Software" section.</li> |
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|
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|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.45&r2=1.46">Version |
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1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run |
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the program for any purpose.</li> |
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|
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.40&r2=1.41">Version |
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1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li> |
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<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.39&r2=1.40">Version |
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|
1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other |
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|
available free software to create your modifications.</li> |
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|
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|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.38&r2=1.39">Version |
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|
1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
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|
provide source for versions of the software you put into public |
| 373 |
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use.</li> |
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|
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|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.30&r2=1.31">Version |
| 376 |
|
1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to |
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|
identify yourself as the author of modifications. Other minor |
| 378 |
|
clarifications throughout the text.</li> |
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|
| 380 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.22&r2=1.23">Version |
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|
1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based |
| 382 |
|
licenses.</li> |
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|
| 384 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.15&r2=1.16">Version |
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|
1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li> |
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|
| 387 |
|
<li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&r1=1.10&r2=1.11">Version |
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|
1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of |
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|
versions you distribute to the author.</li> |
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|
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</ul> |
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|
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<p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other |
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changes that do not affect the substance of the definition at all. |
| 395 |
|
Instead, they fix links, add translations, and so on. If you would |
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|
like to review the complete list of changes, you can do so on |
| 397 |
|
our <a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&view=log">cvsweb |
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interface</a>.</p> |
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</div> |
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|
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|
<!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> |
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<div id="footer"> |
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<p> |
| 407 |
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Please send FSF & GNU inquiries to |
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<a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. |
| 409 |
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There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a> |
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the FSF. |
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<br /> |
| 412 |
|
Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to |
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<a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a>. |
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</p> |
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|
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<p> |
| 417 |
|
Please see the |
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<a href="/server/standards/README.translations.html">Translations |
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README</a> for information on coordinating and submitting |
| 420 |
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</p> |
| 422 |
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|
| 423 |
|
<p> |
| 424 |
|
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, |
| 425 |
|
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
| 426 |
|
</p> |
| 427 |
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<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license" |
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href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative |
| 429 |
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Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>. |
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</p> |
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|
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<p> |
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Updated: |
Updated: |
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