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12    
13  <p><a href="#translations">Translations</a> of this page</p>  <h2>The Free Software Definition</h2>
14    
 <h3>The Free Software Definition</h3>  
15  <p>  <p>
16  <a href="/graphics/philosophicalgnu.html"><img src="/graphics/philosophical-gnu-sm.jpg" alt=" [image of a Philosophical Gnu] " width="160" height="200" /></a>  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be
17    true about a particular software program for it to be considered free
18    software.  From time to time we revise this definition to clarify it.
19    If you would like to review the changes we've made, please see
20    the <a href="#History">History section</a> below for more information.
21  </p>  </p>
22    
23  <p>  <p>
24  We maintain this free software definition to show clearly what must be  &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand
25  true about a particular software program for it to be considered  the concept, you should think of &ldquo;free&rdquo; as in &ldquo;free speech,&rdquo;
26  free software.</p>  not as in &ldquo;free beer.&rdquo;
27    </p>
28    
29  <p>  <p>
30  ``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price.  To understand the  Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,
31  concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in  study, change and improve the software.  More precisely, it means that the
32  ``free beer.''</p>  program's users have the four essential freedoms:
33  <p>  </p>
 Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy,  
 distribute, study, change and improve the software.  More precisely,  
 it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:</p>  
34    
35  <ul>  <ul>
36    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>    <li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
37    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs    <li>The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it
38        (freedom 1).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source
39          code is a precondition for this.
40      </li>
41    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor    <li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
42        (freedom 2).</li>        (freedom 2).
43    <li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements    </li>
44       to the public, so that the whole community benefits    <li>The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions
45        (freedom 3).   Access to the source code is a precondition for this.</li>        to others (freedom 3).  By doing this you can give the whole
46          community a chance to benefit from your changes.
47          Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
48      </li>
49  </ul>  </ul>
50    
51  <p>  <p>
52  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms.  Thus,
53  Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or  you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
54  without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for  modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to
55  distribution, to <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being  <a href="#exportcontrol">anyone anywhere</a>.  Being free to do these
56  free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not  things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay
57  have to ask or pay for permission.</p>  for permission to do so.
58    </p>
59    
60  <p>  <p>
61  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them  You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them
62  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they  privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they
63  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
64  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.</p>  notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way.
65    </p>
66    
67  <p>  <p>
68  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
69  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
70  of overall job, and without being required to communicate subsequently  overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it
71  with the developer or any other specific entity.</p>  with the developer or any other specific entity.  In this freedom, it is
72    the <em>user's</em> purpose that matters, not the <em>developer's</em>
73    purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes,
74    and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it
75    for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her.
76    </p>
77    
78  <p>  <p>
79  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable  The freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable
80  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and  forms of the program, as well as source code, for both modified and
81  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is  unmodified versions.  (Distributing programs in runnable form is necessary
82  necessary for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is  for conveniently installable free operating systems.)  It is OK if there
83  ok if there is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a  is no way to produce a binary or executable form for a certain program
84  certain program (since some languages don't support that feature), but  (since some languages don't support that feature), but you must have the
85  you must have the freedom to redistribute such forms should you find  freedom to redistribute such forms should you find or develop a way to
86  or develop a way to make them.</p>  make them.
87  <p>  </p>
88  In order for the freedoms to make changes, and to publish improved  
89  versions, to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of  <p>
90  the program.  Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary  In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the
91  condition for free software.</p>  freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have
92    access to the source code of the program.  Therefore, accessibility of
93    source code is a necessary condition for free software.  Obfuscated
94    &ldquo;source code&rdquo; is not real source code and does not count
95    as source code.
96    </p>
97    
98    <p>
99    Freedom 1 includes the freedom to use your changed version in place of
100    the original.  If the program is delivered in a product designed to
101    run someone else's modified versions but refuse to run yours &mdash; a
102    practice known as &ldquo;tivoization&rdquo; or &ldquo;lockdown&rdquo;,
103    or (in its practitioners' perverse terminology) as &ldquo;secure
104    boot&rdquo; &mdash; freedom 1 becomes a theoretical fiction rather
105    than a practical freedom.  This is not sufficient.  In other words,
106    these binaries are not free software even if the source code they are
107    compiled from is free.
108    </p>
109    
110  <p>  <p>
111  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free  One important way to modify a program is by merging in available free
112  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you  subroutines and modules.  If the program's license says that you
113  cannot merge in an existing module, such as if it requires you to be  cannot merge in a suitably licensed existing module &mdash; for instance, if it
114  the copyright holder of any code you add, then the license is too  requires you to be the copyright holder of any code you add &mdash; then the
115  restrictive to qualify as free.</p>  license is too restrictive to qualify as free.
116  <p>  </p>
117  In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be irrevocable as  
118  long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the software has the  <p>
119  power to revoke the license, without your doing anything to give  Freedom 3 includes the freedom to release your modified versions
120  cause, the software is not free.</p>  as free software.  A free license may also permit other ways of
121    releasing them; in other words, it does not have to be
122    a <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a> license.  However, a
123    license that requires modified versions to be nonfree does not qualify
124    as a free license.
125    </p>
126    
127    <p>
128    In order for these freedoms to be real, they must be permanent and
129    irrevocable as long as you do nothing wrong; if the developer of the
130    software has the power to revoke the license, or retroactively change
131    its terms, without your doing anything wrong to give cause, the
132    software is not free.
133    </p>
134    
135  <p>  <p>
136  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free  However, certain kinds of rules about the manner of distributing free
137  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central  software are acceptable, when they don't conflict with the central
138  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that  freedoms.  For example, copyleft (very simply stated) is the rule that
139  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny  when redistributing the program, you cannot add restrictions to deny
140  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with  other people the central freedoms.  This rule does not conflict with
141  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.</p>  the central freedoms; rather it protects them.
142    </p>
143    
144    <p>
145    &ldquo;Free software&rdquo; does not mean &ldquo;noncommercial.&rdquo;  A free
146    program must be available for commercial use, commercial development,
147    and commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software
148    is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.
149    You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have
150    obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got your copies,
151    you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to
152    <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.
153    </p>
154    
155    <p>
156    Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter.
157    If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that
158    someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom.
159    </p>
160    
161  <p>  <p>
162  You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you  However, rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable,
163  may have obtained copies at no charge.  But regardless of how you got  if they don't substantively limit your freedom to release modified
164  your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the  versions, or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.
165  software, even to <a href="/philosophy/selling.html">sell copies</a>.</p>  Thus, it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the
166  <p>  name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your
167  ``Free software'' does not mean ``non-commercial''.  A free program  modifications as yours.  As long as these requirements are not so
168  must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and  burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your
169  commercial distribution.  Commercial development of free software is  changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to
170  no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important.</p>  the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more.
171  <p>  </p>
172  Rules about how to package a modified version are acceptable, if they  
173  don't substantively block your freedom to release modified versions,  <p>
174  or your freedom to make and use modified versions privately.  Rules  Rules that &ldquo;if you make your version available in this way, you
175  that ``if you make your version available in this way, you must make  must make it available in that way also&rdquo; can be acceptable too,
176  it available in that way also'' can be acceptable too, on the same  on the same condition.  An example of such an acceptable rule is one
177  condition.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of  saying that if you have distributed a
178  whether to publish your version at all.)  Rules that require release  modified version and a previous developer asks for a copy of it, you
179    must send one.  (Note that such a rule still leaves you the choice of
180    whether to distribute your version at all.)  Rules that require release
181  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use  of source code to the users for versions that you put into public use
182  are also acceptable.  It is also acceptable for the license to require  are also acceptable.
183  that, if you have distributed a modified version and a previous  </p>
184  developer asks for a copy of it, you must send one, or that you  
185  identify yourself on your modifications.  <p>
186  </p>  In the GNU project, we use
187  <p>  <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">copyleft</a>
188  In the GNU project, we use <a href="/copyleft/copyleft.html">``copyleft''</a>  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But
189  to protect these freedoms legally for everyone.  But  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">noncopylefted
190  <a href="/philosophy/categories.html#Non-CopyleftedFreeSoftware">non-copylefted  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are important reasons why
191  free software</a> also exists.  We believe there are  <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html">it is better to use copyleft</a>,
192  important reasons why <a href="/philosophy/pragmatic.html"> it is  but if your program is noncopylefted free software, it is still basically
193  better to use copyleft</a>, but if your program is non-copylefted free  ethical. (See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a> for a description of how &ldquo;free software,&rdquo; &ldquo;copylefted software&rdquo; and other categories of software relate to each other.)
194  software, we can still use it.</p>  </p>
195  <p>  
196  See <a href="/philosophy/categories.html">Categories of Free Software</a>  <p>
197  for a description of how ``free software,'' ``copylefted software'' and  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control regulations</a>
198  other categories of software relate to each other.</p>  and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to distribute copies of
199  <p>  programs internationally.  Software developers do not have the power to
200  Sometimes government <a id="exportcontrol">export control  eliminate or override these restrictions, but what they can and must do
201  regulations</a> and trade sanctions can constrain your freedom to  is refuse to impose them as conditions of use of the program.  In this
202  distribute copies of programs internationally.  Software developers do  way, the restrictions will not affect activities and people outside the
203  not have the power to eliminate or override these restrictions, but  jurisdictions of these governments.  Thus, free software licenses
204  what they can and must do is refuse to impose them as conditions of  must not require obedience to any export regulations as a condition of
205  use of the program.  In this way, the restrictions will not affect  any of the essential freedoms.
206  activities and people outside the jurisdictions of these governments.</p>  </p>
207  <p>  
208  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are  <p>
209  limits on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  Most free software licenses are based on copyright, and there are limits
210  If a copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described  on what kinds of requirements can be imposed through copyright.  If a
211  above, it is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never  copyright-based license respects freedom in the ways described above, it
212  anticipated (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some  is unlikely to have some other sort of problem that we never anticipated
213  free software licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can  (though this does happen occasionally).  However, some free software
214  impose a much larger range of possible restrictions.  That means there  licenses are based on contracts, and contracts can impose a much larger
215  are many possible ways such a license could be unacceptably  range of possible restrictions.  That means there are many possible ways
216  restrictive and non-free.</p>  such a license could be unacceptably restrictive and nonfree.
217    </p>
218    
219  <p>  <p>
220  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a  We can't possibly list all the ways that might happen.  If a
221  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that  contract-based license restricts the user in an unusual way that
222  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as  copyright-based licenses cannot, and which isn't mentioned here as
223  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably  legitimate, we will have to think about it, and we will probably conclude
224  conclude it is non-free.</p>  it is nonfree.
225    </p>
226    
227  <p>  <p>
228  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms like  When talking about free software, it is best to avoid using terms
229  ``give away'' or ``for free'', because those terms imply that the  like &ldquo;give away&rdquo; or &ldquo;for free,&rdquo; because those terms imply that
230  issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such as  the issue is about price, not freedom.  Some common terms such
231  ``piracy'' embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See  as &ldquo;piracy&rdquo; embody opinions we hope you won't endorse.  See
232  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases  <a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html">Confusing Words and Phrases that
233  that are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  are Worth Avoiding</a> for a discussion of these terms.  We also have
234  We also have a list of <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations  a list of proper <a href="/philosophy/fs-translations.html">translations of
235  of "free software"</a> into various languages.</p>  &ldquo;free software&rdquo;</a> into various languages.
236    </p>
237    
238  <p>  <p>
239  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software  Finally, note that criteria such as those stated in this free software
240  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To  definition require careful thought for their interpretation.  To decide
241  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
243  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,  that calls for extensive thought, including discussions with a lawyer,
247  including discussions with a lawyer, before we can decide if the  before we can decide if the requirement is acceptable.  When we reach
248  requirement is acceptable.  When we reach a conclusion about a new  a conclusion about a new issue, we often update these criteria to make
249  issue, we often update these criteria to make it easier to see why  it easier to see why certain licenses do or don't qualify.
250  certain licenses do or don't qualify.</p>  </p>
251  <p>  
252  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a  <p>
253  free software license, see our <a  If you are interested in whether a specific license qualifies as a free
254  href="/licenses/license-list.html">list of licenses</a>.  If the  software license, see our <a href="/licenses/license-list.html">list
255  license you are concerned with is not listed there, you can ask us  of licenses</a>.  If the license you are concerned with is not
256  about it by sending us email at <a  listed there, you can ask us about it by sending us email at
257  href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.</p> <p>  <a href="mailto:licensing@gnu.org">&lt;licensing@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
258  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the FSF  </p>
259  by writing to that address. The proliferation of different free  
260  software licenses means increased work for users in understanding the  <p>
261  licenses; we may be able to help you find an existing Free Software  If you are contemplating writing a new license, please contact the
262  license that meets your needs.  Free Software Foundation first by writing to that address. The
263    proliferation of different free software licenses means increased work
264    for users in understanding the licenses; we may be able to help you
265    find an existing free software license that meets your needs.
266  </p>  </p>
267    
268  <p>  <p>
269  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our  If that isn't possible, if you really need a new license, with our
270  help you can ensure that the license really is a Free Software license  help you can ensure that the license really is a free software license
271  and avoid various practical problems.  and avoid various practical problems.
272  </p>  </p>
 <hr />  
273    
274  <p>  <h2 id="beyond-software">Beyond Software</h2>
 Another group has started using the term "open source" to mean  
 something close (but not identical) to "free software".  We prefer the  
 term "free software" because, once you have heard it refers to freedom  
 rather than price, <a href="free-software-for-freedom.html">it calls  
 to mind freedom</a>.  The word "open" never does that.</p>  
   
 <hr />  
 <h4><a href="/philosophy/philosophy.html">Other Texts to Read</a></h4>  
   
   
 <!-- All pages on the GNU web server should have the section about    -->  
 <!-- verbatim copying.  Please do NOT remove this without talking     -->  
 <!-- with the webmasters first. -->  
 <!-- Please make sure the copyright date is consistent with the document -->  
 <!-- and that it is like this "2001, 2002" not this "2001-2002." -->  
   
 <div class="translations">  
 <p><a id="translations"></a>  
 <b>Translations of this page</b>:<br />  
   
 <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical, and in the original -->  
 <!-- language if possible, otherwise default to English -->  
 <!-- If you do not have it English, please comment what the -->  
 <!-- English is.  If you add a new language here, please -->  
 <!-- advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->  
 <!--    - in /home/www/bin/nightly-vars either TAGSLANG or WEBLANG -->  
 <!--    - in /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->  
 <!--      one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->  
 <!--    - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->  
 <!--      to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->  
 <!-- Please also check you have the 2 letter language code right versus -->  
 <!--     http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/iso639.htm -->  
 [  
   <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">Catal&#x00e0;</a>       <!-- Catalan -->  
275    
276  <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->  <p>
277  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  <a href="/philosophy/free-doc.html">Software manuals must be free</a>,
278    for the same reasons that software must be free, and because the
279    manuals are in effect part of the software.
280    </p>
281    
282  <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->  <p>
283  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>  The same arguments also make sense for other kinds of works of
284    practical use &mdash; that is to say, works that embody useful knowledge,
285    such as educational works and reference
286    works.  <a href="http://wikipedia.org">Wikipedia</a> is the best-known
287    example.
288    </p>
289    
290  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>        <!-- Czech -->  <p>
291  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">Dansk</a>       <!-- Danish -->  Any kind of work <em>can</em> be free, and the definition of free software
292  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>     <!-- German -->  has been extended to a definition of <a href="http://freedomdefined.org/">
293  | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>  free cultural works</a> applicable to any kind of works.
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">Ελληνικά</a>  <!--Greek-->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">Espa&#x00f1;ol</a>      <!-- Spanish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>  
   
 <!-- Persian/Farsi -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>  
   
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">Fran&#x00e7;ais</a>     <!-- French -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">Galego</a>      <!-- Galician -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>    <!-- Hebrew -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">Hrvatski</a>    <!-- Croatian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>    <!-- Indonesian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">Italiano</a>    <!-- Italian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>    <!-- Japanese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>    <!-- Korean -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">Magyar</a>      <!-- Hungarian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>  <!-- Dutch -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.no.html">Norsk</a>       <!-- Norwegian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">Polski</a>      <!-- Polish -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt.html">Portugu&#x0ea;s</a>     <!-- Portuguese -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">Rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>        <!-- Romanian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;</a> <!-- Russian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">Slovinsko</a>   <!--- Slovenian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0421;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a> <!-- Serbian -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>     <!-- Tagalog -->  
 | <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>        <!-- Turkish -->  
 ]  
294  </p>  </p>
 </div>  
295    
296  <div class="copyright">  <h2 id="open-source">Open Source?</h2>
297    
298  <p>  <p>
299  Return to the <a href="/home.html">GNU Project home page</a>.  Another group has started using the term &ldquo;open source&rdquo; to mean
300    something close (but not identical) to &ldquo;free software.&rdquo;  We
301    prefer the term &ldquo;free software&rdquo; because, once you have heard that
302    it refers to freedom rather than price, it calls to mind freedom.  The
303    word &ldquo;open&rdquo; <a href="/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">
304    never refers to freedom</a>.
305  </p>  </p>
306    
307    <h2 id="History">History</h2>
308    
309    <p>From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition to
310    clarify it.  Here we provide a list of those modifications, along with
311    links to illustrate exactly what changed, so that others can review
312    them if they like.</p>
313    
314    <ul>
315    
316    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.103&amp;r2=1.104">Version
317    1.104</a>: Reflect, in the brief statement of freedom 1, the point
318    (already stated in version 1.80) that it includes really using your modified
319    version for your computing.</li>
320    
321    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.91&amp;r2=1.92">Version
322    1.92</a>: Clarify that obfuscated code does not qualify as source code.</li>
323    
324    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.89&amp;r2=1.90">Version
325    1.90</a>: Clarify that freedom 3 means the right to distribute copies
326    of your own modified or improved version, not a right to participate
327    in someone else's development project.</li>
328    
329    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.88&amp;r2=1.89">Version
330    1.89</a>: Freedom 3 includes the right to release modified versions as
331    free software.</li>
332    
333    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.79&amp;r2=1.80">Version
334    1.80</a>: Freedom 1 must be practical, not just theoretical;
335    i.e., no tivoization.</li>
336    
337    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.76&amp;r2=1.77">Version
338    1.77</a>: Clarify that all retroactive changes to the license are
339    unacceptable, even if it's not described as a complete
340    replacement.</li>
341    
342    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.73&amp;r2=1.74">Version
343    1.74</a>: Four clarifications of points not explicit enough, or stated
344    in some places but not reflected everywhere:
345    <ul>
346    <li>"Improvements" does not mean the license can
347    substantively limit what kinds of modified versions you can release.
348    Freedom 3 includes distributing modified versions, not just changes.</li>
349    <li>The right to merge in existing modules
350    refers to those that are suitably licensed.</li>
351    <li>Explicitly state the conclusion of the point about export controls.</li>
352    <li>Imposing a license change constitutes revoking the old license.</li>
353    </ul>
354    </li>
355    
356    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.56&amp;r2=1.57">Version
357    1.57</a>: Add &quot;Beyond Software&quot; section.</li>
358    
359    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.45&amp;r2=1.46">Version
360    1.46</a>: Clarify whose purpose is significant in the freedom to run
361    the program for any purpose.</li>
362    
363    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.40&amp;r2=1.41">Version
364    1.41</a>: Clarify wording about contract-based licenses.</li>
365    
366    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.39&amp;r2=1.40">Version
367    1.40</a>: Explain that a free license must allow to you use other
368    available free software to create your modifications.</li>
369    
370    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.38&amp;r2=1.39">Version
371    1.39</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
372    provide source for versions of the software you put into public
373    use.</li>
374    
375    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.30&amp;r2=1.31">Version
376    1.31</a>: Note that it is acceptable for a license to require you to
377    identify yourself as the author of modifications.  Other minor
378    clarifications throughout the text.</li>
379    
380    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.22&amp;r2=1.23">Version
381    1.23</a>: Address potential problems related to contract-based
382    licenses.</li>
383    
384    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.15&amp;r2=1.16">Version
385    1.16</a>: Explain why distribution of binaries is important.</li>
386    
387    <li><a href="http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/www/philosophy/free-sw.html?root=www&amp;r1=1.10&amp;r2=1.11">Version
388    1.11</a>: Note that a free license may require you to send a copy of
389    versions you distribute to the author.</li>
390    
391    </ul>
392    
393    <p>There are gaps in the version numbers because there are many other
394    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
396    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&amp;view=log">cvsweb
398    interface</a>.</p>
399    
400    </div>
401    
402    <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" -->
403    
404    <div id="footer">
405    
406  <p>  <p>
407  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to  Please send FSF &amp; GNU inquiries to
408  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><em>gnu@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org">&lt;gnu@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
409  There are also <a href="/home.html#ContactInfo">other ways to contact</a>  There are also <a href="/contact/">other ways to contact</a>
410  the FSF.  the FSF.
411  <br />  <br />
412  Please send broken links and other corrections (or suggestions) to  Please send broken links and other corrections or suggestions to
413  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><em>webmasters@gnu.org</em></a>.  <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org">&lt;webmasters@gnu.org&gt;</a>.
414  </p>  </p>
415    
416  <p>  <p>
# Line 300  translations of this article. Line 421  translations of this article.
421  </p>  </p>
422    
423  <p>  <p>
424  Copyright (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Free  Copyright &copy; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004,
425  Software Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
426  02110,  USA  </p>
427  <br />  <p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
428  Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is  href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/">Creative
429  permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is  Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License</a>.
 preserved.  
430  </p>  </p>
431    
432  <p>  <p>
433  Updated:  Updated:
434  <!-- timestamp start -->  <!-- timestamp start -->
435  $Date$ $Author$  $Date$
436  <!-- timestamp end -->  <!-- timestamp end -->
437  </p>  </p>
438  </div>  </div>
439    
440    <!-- <div id="translations"> -->
441    <!-- <h4>Translations of this page</h4> -->
442    <!--  -->
443    <!-- Please keep this list alphabetical by language code. -->
444    <!--      Comment what the language is for each type, i.e. de is German. -->
445    <!--      Write the language name in its own language (Deutsch) in the text. -->
446    <!--      If you add a new language here, please -->
447    <!--      advise web-translators@gnu.org and add it to -->
448    <!--       - /home/www/html/server/standards/README.translations.html -->
449    <!--       - one of the lists under the section "Translations Underway" -->
450    <!--       - if there is a translation team, you also have to add an alias -->
451    <!--       to mail.gnu.org:/com/mailer/aliases -->
452    <!--      Please also check you have the language code right; see: -->
453    <!--      http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php -->
454    <!--      If the 2-letter ISO 639-1 code is not available, -->
455    <!--      use the 3-letter ISO 639-2. -->
456    <!--      Please use W3C normative character entities. -->
457    <!--  -->
458    <!-- <ul class="translations-list"> -->
459    <!-- Afrikaans -->
460    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.af.html">Afrikaans</a>&nbsp;[af]</li> -->
461    <!-- Arabic -->
462    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ar.html">&#1575;&#1604;&#1593;&#1585;&#1576;&#1610;&#1577;</a>&nbsp;[ar]</li> -->
463    <!-- Azerbaijani -->
464    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.az.html">Az&#x0259;rbaycanca</a>&nbsp;[az]</li> -->
465    <!-- Bulgarian -->
466    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bg.html">&#x431;&#x44A;&#x43B;&#x433;&#x430;&#x440;&#x441;&#x43A;&#x438;</a>&nbsp;[bg]</li> -->
467    <!-- Bengali -->
468    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bn.html">&#2476;&#2494;&#2434;&#2482;&#2494;</a>&nbsp;[bn]</li> -->
469    <!-- Bosnian -->
470    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.bs.html">bosanski</a>&nbsp;[bs]</li> -->
471    <!-- Catalan -->
472    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ca.html">catal&#x00e0;</a>&nbsp;[ca]</li> -->
473    <!-- Czech -->
474    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.cs.html">&#x010c;esky</a>&nbsp;[cs]</li> -->
475    <!-- Danish -->
476    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.da.html">dansk</a>&nbsp;[da]</li> -->
477    <!-- German -->
478    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.de.html">Deutsch</a>&nbsp;[de]</li> -->
479    <!-- Greek -->
480    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.el.html">&#x03b5;&#x03bb;&#x03bb;&#x03b7;&#x03bd;&#x03b9;&#x03ba;&#x03ac;</a>&nbsp;[el]</li> -->
481    <!-- English -->
482    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">English</a>&nbsp;[en]</li> -->
483    <!-- Esperanto -->
484    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.eo.html">Esperanto</a>&nbsp;[eo]</li> -->
485    <!-- Spanish -->
486    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.es.html">espa&#x00f1;ol</a>&nbsp;[es]</li> -->
487    <!-- Farsi (Persian) -->
488    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fa.html">&#x0641;&#x0627;&#x0631;&#x0633;&#x06cc;</a>&nbsp;[fa]</li> -->
489    <!-- French -->
490    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html">fran&#x00e7;ais</a>&nbsp;[fr]</li> -->
491    <!-- Galician -->
492    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.gl.html">galego</a>&nbsp;[gl]</li> -->
493    <!-- Hebrew -->
494    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.he.html">&#x05e2;&#x05d1;&#x05e8;&#x05d9;&#x05ea;</a>&nbsp;[he]</li> -->
495    <!-- Croatian -->
496    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hr.html">hrvatski</a>&nbsp;[hr]</li> -->
497    <!-- Hungarian -->
498    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.hu.html">magyar</a>&nbsp;[hu]</li> -->
499    <!-- Indonesian -->
500    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.id.html">Bahasa Indonesia</a>&nbsp;[id]</li> -->
501    <!-- Italian -->
502    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.it.html">italiano</a>&nbsp;[it]</li> -->
503    <!-- Japanese -->
504    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ja.html">&#x65e5;&#x672c;&#x8a9e;</a>&nbsp;[ja]</li> -->
505    <!-- Korean -->
506    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ko.html">&#xd55c;&#xad6d;&#xc5b4;</a>&nbsp;[ko]</li> -->
507    <!-- Norwegian BokmÃ¥l -->
508    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nb.html">norsk (bokm&aring;l)</a>&nbsp;[nb]</li> -->
509    <!-- Dutch -->
510    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.nl.html">Nederlands</a>&nbsp;[nl]</li> -->
511    <!-- Polish -->
512    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pl.html">polski</a>&nbsp;[pl]</li> -->
513    <!-- Brazilian Portuguese -->
514    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.pt-br.html">portugu&#x0ea;s do Brasil</a>&nbsp;[pt-br]</li> -->
515    <!-- Romanian -->
516    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ro.html">rom&#x00e2;n&#x0103;</a>&nbsp;[ro]</li> -->
517    <!-- Russian -->
518    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ru.html">&#x0440;&#x0443;&#x0441;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;&#x0439;</a>&nbsp;[ru]</li> -->
519    <!-- Slovak -->
520    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sk.html">sloven&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sk]</li> -->
521    <!-- - Slovenian -->
522    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sl.html">sloven&scaron;&#269;ina</a>&nbsp;[sl]</li> -->
523    <!-- Serbian -->
524    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sr.html">&#x0441;&#x0440;&#x043f;&#x0441;&#x043a;&#x0438;</a>&nbsp;[sr]</li> -->
525    <!-- Swedish -->
526    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.sv.html">svenska</a>&nbsp;[sv]</li> -->
527    <!-- Tamil -->
528    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.ta.html">&#2980;&#2990;&#3007;&#2996;&#3021;</a>&nbsp;[ta]</li> -->
529    <!-- Tagalog -->
530    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tl.html">Tagalog</a>&nbsp;[tl]</li> -->
531    <!-- Turkish -->
532    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.tr.html">T&#x00fc;rk&#x00e7;e</a>&nbsp;[tr]</li> -->
533    <!-- Chinese (Simplified) -->
534    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-cn.html">&#x7b80;&#x4f53;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-cn]</li> -->
535    <!-- Chinese (Traditional) -->
536    <!-- <li><a href="/philosophy/free-sw.zh-tw.html">&#x7e41;&#x9ad4;&#x4e2d;&#x6587;</a>&nbsp;[zh-tw]</li> -->
537    <!-- </ul> -->
538    <!-- </div> -->
539    
540    </div>
541    
542  </body>  </body>
543  </html>  </html>
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